Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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416. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of absence reports over 20 days recorded by the Tusla education support service, TESS, in the 2020-21 academic year to date; and if there has been an increase in the number of absence reports over 20 days to TESS compared to this time in 2020 in the 2019-2020 academic year. [1635/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Tusla Education Support Service has received 1512 referrals up to the end of November 2020 for the academic year 2020/2021. This is an increase of 35% on the same period in the previous academic year.

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) has a statutory responsibility to intervene when a parent/guardian is failing or neglecting to causing his or her child to attend school. TESS views all school attendance referrals from a child welfare perspective with the intention of finding solutions that will enable and support students to attend, participate and be retained in education. Since Covid-19 first impacted schools in March, 2020 TESS has adopted a child welfare and supportive approach in relation to all children and families where the school attendance of students has been directly impacted by Covid-19.

I can assure the deputy and all parents that TESS will continue to look at all school attendance cases with a compassionate and child welfare centred approach for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic. My desire is to ensure that all students have access to education and TESS is available to work with any student or family in need of support.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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417. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a well-being approach is followed when it comes to school absences and TESS as stated in September 2020; if guidance and support is provided to parents who are stressed and concerned after receiving letters notifying them their child has missed 20 days of schools even when this was due to Covid-19-related issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1636/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) has a statutory responsibility to intervene where a child has not been attending school. TESS views all school attendance referrals from a child welfare perspective with the intention of finding solutions that will enable and support students to attend, participate and be retained in education. Since Covid-19 first impacted schools in March, 2020 TESS has adopted a child welfare and supportive approach in relation to all children and families where the school attendance of students has been directly impacted by Covid-19.

I can assure the Deputy that TESS will continue to look at all school attendance cases with a compassionate and child welfare centred approach for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic. The role of TESS is to ensure that all students have access to education. TESS is available to work with any student or family in need of support.

I am aware that some students have experienced anxiety and concern regarding Covid-19. For this reason, my Department has created 17 additional NEPS psychologist posts for schools as well as 120 whole-time equivalent guidance counsellor positions.