Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if satisfactory arrangements ensuring the continued education of a person (details supplied) have been put in place notwithstanding the decision to expel which their parents intend to appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51388/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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A student cannot be expelled from a school before the passing of 20 school days following the receipt of a notification under Section 24 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000.  The Educational Welfare Service have confirmed that they received the notification of intention to expel, in respect of the student (named by the Deputy) on 24th September 2021.   

An official from my Department has been advised that a section 24 meeting has taken place, which was attended by the Educational Welfare Officer and the school Principal . The parent was invited to attend this meeting but was unable to do so.

I understand that at this meeting the school advised that they have made educational provision for this student during the interim period with school work regularly uploaded onto the school’s online learning facility, Google classrooms. It was noted that the class teacher is always available to consult with and feedback to. School management maintained that an electronic device – a Chromebook laptop – was offered to the student to facilitate this online learning.

The EWO has indicated that he is happy to continue offering the parents advice and assistance around securing an alternative educational placement for their son.