Idir 2006 agus 2011, thug POBAL faoi thaighde ceannródaíoch ar riachtanais ar leith an pháiste dhátheangach. Thug an eagras grúpa comhairleach le chéile agus i measc gníomhartha eile, thosaigh POBAL ar idirbheartaíocht a dhéanamh leis an Roinn Oideachais maidir le togra taighde. Sa deireadh thiar, le maoiniú ón RO, bhí POBAL in ann taighdeoir agus riarthóir páirt-aimseartha a cheapadh le tabhairt faoin taighde. Ag an tús, bhí sé de chuspóir ag POBAL staidéar leathan a dhéanamh ar riachtanais ar leith na bpáistí ó 0-18 mbliain agus a gcuid teaghlach, páistí le sainriachtanais oideachasúla agus sláinte san áireamh. Agus comhairliúchán déanta leis an RO, áfach, athraíodh fócas an taighde go páistí ó 3-16 bhliain agus iad i nGaelscoileanna, le riachtanais ar leith na bpáistí le Gaeilge a bhfuil sainriachtanais oideachasúla acu a aimsiú, chomh maith le riachtanais a gcuid tuismitheora.

Agus an taighde foilsithe, thug POBAL faoi togra eile taighde, ag amharc ar an cheist seo ar bhonn uile-oileánda. Le maoiniú ón Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, cheap muid taighdeoir agus riarthóir páirt-aimseartha agus tugadh faoin togra nua, seiminéir uile-oileánda a mheall réimse leathan de shaineolaithe le chéile.

Between 2006 and 2011, POBAL undertook groundbreaking research into the particular needs of bilingual children. The organisation brought together an advisory group and among other actions, it started on negotiation with the Department of Education regarding a research project. Eventually, with funding from DENI, POBAL was able to appoint a researcher and part-time administrator to progress the research. The project’s original aims reflected POBAL’s vision for a wide‐ranging study on the specific requirements of Irish – English speaking children from 0 to 18 and their families, including those of Irish‐speaking children with special educational and health needs. It was decided, in consultation with DE, to alter the focus of the research from children 0 to 18 to children 3 to 16 in IM education, and to identify the specific needs of Irish‐ speaking children who experience SEN, and the needs of their parents.

Having published the research, POBAL then undertook a further research project, looking at the issue on an all-Ireland basis. With funding from Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, we appointed a researcher and part-time administrator and proceeded with the new research project, including all-Ireland seminars which drew a large range of expert participants.