Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Educational Welfare functions of Tusla are under the remit of my Department.

The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, provides for the entitlement of every child in the state to a certain minimum education and for the registration of children receiving their education in places other than recognised schools. The Act defines a child as a person resident in the state, who has reached the age of 6 years and who has not reached the age of 16 years, or who has not completed 3 years of post-primary education, whichever occurs later.

The Educational Welfare Service operates under Act and supports children and families who have difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation and retention. This is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education, in order to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education. Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) work with families and children in a child-centred way to overcome barriers to their school attendance, participation and retention. EWOs also work closely with schools, educational support services and other agencies to support school attendance and resolve attendance problems for the benefit of children and families.

Section 14 (1) of the Act requires Tusla to maintain a register of children being educated in a place other than a recognised school. Parents of such children must complete a registration and assessment process for inclusion on the register. This legal requirement exists to support parents in their constitutional right as the primary educator of their child. To meet its obligations under this legislation, Tusla Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) carries out an assessment to ensure that when a parent applies to have their child placed on the register that child is in receipt of a certain minimum education.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funds and creates policy for the higher and further education and research sectors, including the Youthreach Programme. The Department also oversees the work of the state agencies and public institutions operating in these areas.

The Youthreach programme is part of a national programme of second-chance education and training delivered in Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres. Youthreach provides two years’ integrated education, training and work experience for unemployed early school leavers without any qualifications or vocational training.

There are no plans by my Department to provide access to Youthreach to children who are aged 13 to 14 years.