Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 385: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the number of children between the ages of five years and 16 years attending a recognised primary or post-primary school; the numbers of such children undergoing home education; and the steps being taken by the State to ensure each child receives an education of appropriate standard. [16523/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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In the school year 2008/2009 there were 712,945 pupils between the ages of five and sixteen attending primary and post-primary schools aided by this Department. This is the most recent year for which data are available. For children enrolled in such schools but who are unable to attend school for a variety of reasons such as a serious medical problem or where a child does not have a school placement, Home Tuition support may be provided, on application, as a temporary interim measure. This facilitates a compensatory educational service to ensure continuum of education during extended absences.

As the deputy will be aware if a parent makes a choice of home education for their child they must register the child/ren with the National Educational Welfare Board. In such circumstances the child/ren is not enrolled in a recognised school. The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, established the National Educational Welfare Board which is charged with ensuring that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.

The Irish Constitution acknowledges the role of a parent or guardian as the primary educator of the child and has enshrined in law that a parent or guardian may home educate a child. Section 14 (1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 states that the National Educational Welfare Board shall establish and maintain a register of all children in receipt of an education in a place other than a recognised school. Where a parent chooses to educate, or have educated, his or her child in a place other than a recognised school, the Act outlines the process of application, assessment, registration and appeal that should be adhered to by the Board. Applications are made to the Board and the education provision assessed before the child is registered. To the end of 2009, the Board has registered 638 children educated at home and 5121 children educated in non-recognised schools, throughout the country.

In May 2009, my Department extended the remit of the National Educational Welfare Board to bring together a number of education services namely the Home School Community Liaison Service (HSCL), the School Completion Programme (SCP), the Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers (VTST), as well as the National Educational Welfare Service (EWS) under one common management team thereby providing for a single, more focussed, strategic direction at local, regional and national levels. The underlying rationale for this new single strategic approach is to deliver better outcomes for children, families, and schools through targeted coordinated responses that will more effectively address the challenges that impact negatively on attendance, participation and attainment.