Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is an absolute priority of my Department to ensure that every child in the state has access to a school place that is appropriate to their needs and we are continually investing in existing and new schools to ensure that this is the case.

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is under the remit of my Department.

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, parents and guardians 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

There are a variety of reasons why a child may be without a school place, such as, children moving school mid-year, family relocating, expulsion and children receiving a school place further away than they can travel to.

The EWS can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Referrals to the EWS may be made throughout the school year. Once a referral is made to the EWS in respect of a child or young person with no school place, it will remain an open case until such time as a school place is offered and accepted.

The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is available to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. Home tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not currently available.

Where all reasonable efforts have been made to secure a school place, consideration can be given to making a Designation under Section 67 of the Education Act 1998.The Section was commenced in 2022 and gives authority to Tusla and to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to designate a school place for a child with no school place. A Designation under Section 67 can only be made where there is evidence of a place being available in a school. The Designation directs the Board of Management of the school to enrol the child concerned.