Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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280. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when his Department will finish compiling school data that will identify the number of children who did not return to school after the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41037/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 which emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention.

TESS has been working in collaboration with my Department and the Department of Education (DoE) to support the return to school since September.

As part of this process, TESS has gathered information in relation to return to school post Covid-19 closure. The verification and analysis of this data is still ongoing.

The Department of Education has requested the data be provided to them for further consideration in the context of other information inputs. TESS continues to engage with the Department of Education on this matter and once the verification and analysis is complete, a report will be provided to both my Department and the Department of Education.

I can however assure the Deputy that from early indications TESS do not have a significant concern, which is testament to the work of schools and community supports in student engagement during the pandemic. TESS has, and continues to, work with schools in respect of school attendance and works in close collaboration with my department and the Department of Education.

As the Deputy will be aware, An Taoiseach announced, as part of his speech on the formation of Government on Saturday 27 June, that “Educational welfare functions will be returned to the Department [of Education].” and arrangements for the transfer of functions are now at an advanced stage.