Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that parents are being told that their child risks being reported for poor attendance due to days taken off with symptoms of Covid-19 as per school and public health guidelines; the steps she is taking to ensure no child is penalised for days taken off with Covid-19 symptoms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9947/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has provided guidance to schools in relation to the recording and reporting of COVID-19 related absences. COVID-19 related absences arising from pupils/students who have been requested to self-isolate by a medical professional or for students who feel unwell with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be recorded in accordance with the school’s normal procedures for the notification and recording of absences. However these COVID-19 related absences should be noted by the school as explained absences.

Notwithstanding the current COVID-19 related environment that schools are now operating in, the statutory requirements for reporting pupil absenteeism will continue as normal. In this respect the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 requires the principal of a recognised school to maintain records of the attendance or non-attendance on each school day of each pupil registered at that school which is reported to Tusla.

Tusla Educational Support Service (TESS) receives notifications of all absences from school as per the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. TESS is very aware that some students will be absent for legitimate Covid-19-related health reasons. Absences are reported to TESS as explained and unexplained, and together they make up the cumulative number of days marked absent. This has remained the reporting requirement throughout COVID-19 pandemic.

Daily school attendance data is collected and held at local school level and collected by Tusla at the aggregated level through the Annual Attendance Report (AAR) and, also at the student level through the Student Absence Report (SAR). Any child who misses 20 school days must be reported to Tusla by law, however this may not result in any intervention, particularly if the absences are explained. Where schools have a concern about a child’s attendance they are required to make a referral to TESS Education Welfare Service. 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.