Schooldays.ie, Ireland’s leading online resource for parents and teachers, has today published the Parents of Ireland Survey 2026 – Ireland’s first major research snapshot focused specifically on the experiences of parents of school going children.
Marking the twentieth anniversary of Schooldays.ie, the survey gathered responses from almost 2,000 parents nationwide. It explores family finances, mental health, learning needs, exam reform, Irish as a compulsory subject, online safety, bullying, mobile phone ownership and parenting styles.
The findings reveal a picture of engaged, collaborative parenting – but also highlight deep concern about access to children’s mental health services, the cost of raising a family and the impact of technology on young people.
Commenting on the publication of the report, Richard Murphy, Owner of Schooldays.ie, said: “For twenty years, Schooldays.ie has been alongside parents as they navigate childhood and education. This survey was our opportunity to really listen to them – to capture what family life in Ireland feels like right now.
“What comes through very strongly is that parents are doing their very best: they are talking to their children about consent, bullying and mental health; they are striving for balanced, connected parenting in a world that is changing at speed. At the same time, the findings make it clear that families are under immense pressure – from long waits for assessments and mental health services to the rising cost of everyday life.
“It was important for us to run this survey so that parents have a clear point of reference, and so that schools, service providers and policymakers can see the realities behind the headlines. Our hope is that this report becomes a practical tool for parents and a catalyst for better supports for families across Ireland.”
Key findings from the Parents of Ireland Survey 2026
Positive, balanced parenting: Around 80% of parents describe their parenting style as “balanced”, with almost 77% saying they typically discipline by talking things through rather than using punishment.
Family connection at mealtimes: Almost half of families eat dinner together every day, with a further 40% doing so a few times a week.
Special educational needs and assessments: 28% of parents report that their child has been assessed for specialist educational needs, yet only 8% rate the assessment and support process as excellent, reflecting ongoing concerns about access and waiting times.
Mental health needs are widespread – and services are stretched: Almost a third (over 27%) of parents say their child has needed mental health services such as counselling or psychiatric support. Of those who used services, 58.7% rated their experience of accessing help as poor or terrible, and more than 61% report waiting six months or longer.
Digital life and mobiles: The majority of parents believe the ideal age for a first mobile phone is 11–15, with in excess of half (55%) selecting 13 as the appropriate age. Most children who own phones are in the older age groups, yet many younger children are active on other internet-connected devices such as tablets and games consoles.
Talking about bullying and consent: Most parents report having conversations with their children about bullying and consent, but a third (34%) have not yet discussed alcohol or drugs, despite widespread access to information and peer influence.
Phones in schools: A majority of parents support restrictions or outright bans on phones during the school day, seeing school as a vital opportunity for children to disconnect from social media and focus on learning and face-to-face friendships.
Irish as a compulsory subject: More than half (56.4%) of parents support Irish remaining compulsory for all students, with further support for compulsory Irish up to Junior Certificate. When combined, around three-quarters of parents favour their children learning Irish for most of their schooling.
Family finances under pressure: 22.6% of households say they are struggling financially, underlining the impact of rising costs for housing, food, energy, childcare and educational extras such as grinds.
Appetite for exam reform: Parents express strong interest in reforms to the Junior and Leaving Cert, including more continuous assessment, less high-stakes exam pressure and a fairer points system for students with additional needs or neurodiversity.
Expert reactions to the findings
The report includes commentary from leading experts in education, mental health, parenting, online safety and social policy, who set the findings in context and highlight where change is most urgently needed. Reactions include;
Children’s mental health – Dr Emma Beatty Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Emma Beatty says the data on mental health reflect what professionals are seeing on the ground: “The fact that over a quarter of parents report their child has needed mental health support underlines that these difficulties are now widespread, not exceptional. What is particularly worrying is that nearly six in ten parents describe their experience of accessing services as poor or terrible, with many waiting more than six months. Early, community-based support can stop problems escalating, but only if families can actually reach it. These findings are a clear call for investment right across the system – from primary-care services and school supports to specialist teams like CAMHS.”
Parenting styles and family connection – Dr Mary O’Kane Psychologist and parenting expert Dr Mary O’Kane welcomes the move towards balanced, connected parenting: “These results suggest we have moved well beyond parenting through fear and towards parenting through connection. Most parents see themselves as balanced and are using conversation rather than physical punishment, which we know is linked to better emotional and social outcomes for children. I am also heartened by how many families are still sharing regular meals together. Sitting around the table may seem simple, but it plays a powerful role in building communication skills, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.”
Family finances and the cost of parenting – Dr Sara Singleton, TASC Social inclusion researcher Dr Sara Singleton notes that financial stress is a consistent theme: “When over one in five households tell us they are struggling financially, it reflects what we are hearing right across the country. Parents are trying to keep food on the table, pay rising bills and cover education costs, often while juggling insecure work and childcare that feels like a second mortgage. Surveys like this are vital because they turn individual stress into visible social patterns – they show that families are not failing, but that systems and services are failing to keep pace with the reality of parenting in Ireland today.”
Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist, said: “This survey shows parents in Ireland are highly engaged and leaning towards balanced, connected parenting, with open conversations about bullying, consent and online behaviour. At the same time, it highlights real concern about children’s digital lives, with more than half of parents believing 13 is the right age for a first mobile. These insights give a clear snapshot of family life today and the pressures parents are navigating.”
A tool for parents, schools and policymakers – The Parents of Ireland Survey 2026 brings these themes together in a clear, accessible report designed to:
Give parents a benchmark to see how their own experiences compare with national trends;Provide schools and educators with insight into what families are managing at home;
Support journalists and policymakers with robust, parent-centred data on core issues such as mental health, cost of living, online safety, exam reform and the role of Irish in the curriculum.
The full report, including charts, expert commentary and practical tips for parents, is available from Schooldays.ie.
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