Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider taking the necessary steps to allow the education welfare service attached to Tusla to find school placements for children under six years of age, given that many parents in certain areas are having great difficulty finding school places for their children; the role of education welfare officers in sourcing school places for children generally, including children with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10626/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands namely the Statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, families and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people. All three strands share the same national outcomes:

- Improved Attendance

- Improved Participation

- Improved Retention

Education is compulsory for children from the ages of 6 to 16 or until students have completed three years of post-primary education. The EWS is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child, as defined in the legislation, either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.

In addition, the EWS provides guidance and advice to parents of children aged under 6 and over 16 with regard to applications for school places. Where a child has special educational needs the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the lead Agency, collaborating with the EWS, to support parents with applications for suitable school places.