Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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891. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if permission to travel outside five kilometres for educational purposes extends to families that home-school their children and must travel to access a network of other home-schooling families, for educational trips and to access educational resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14888/21]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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892. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if guidance on continuation of education during level 5 restrictions will be provided for families that provide schooling to their children from home all year round; and if not, the reason such guidance is not being provided (details supplied). [14889/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 891 and 892 together.

In line with the provisions of Section 14(1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, Tusla‘s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is responsible for the regulation of provision for education in places other than recognised schools.

The AEARS does not have a role in providing guidance or advice regarding the provision of education for children who are educated in a place other than recognised schools within the specific context of the on-going Covid-19 public health restrictions, as this is a matter for the relevant public health authorities.

Children that are home-schooled, and their parents or guardians, must comply with all of the public health advice and guidance produced by the Government in order to protect their health and well-being and that of other citizens during this pandemic. There are currently no plans to provide separate or bespoke guidance for this cohort of the population.