Inclusive Education in Ireland – what have we Learned?

This chapter focuses on the findings from the research and consider what these can tell people about the current situation in Irish schools. It describes the four headings – policy, provision, experiences and outcomes – that informed interpretation of the data throughout the research. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is a major source of support in the efforts being made by schools and allied professions to create a more inclusive approach to education. In 2011 the NCSE produced an Inclusive Education Framework as a means of supporting schools in the evaluation of their provision and building upon their practice through a structured approach to action planning and target setting. The development of inclusion in schools is to a large extent dependent upon the availability and efficient deployment of appropriate provision to support students, families and professionals. Inclusion cannot simply be defined in terms of location.