Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Constitution of Ireland acknowledges the family as the primary and natural educator of the child and sets out the rights and duties of the State in the matter of education. The Constitution makes explicit that the State does not oblige parents to send their children to any particular type of school. Parents are free to provide education in their homes, in private schools, or in schools recognised or established by the State.

In line with the provisions of Section 14(1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, Tusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is responsible for the regulation of the provision of education for children in places other than in a recognised school, including for children enrolled in a non-recognised independent school. This is to ensure that such children receive a certain minimum education.

Parents who wish to send their child to be educated in a place other than a recognised school, including non-recognised independent schools, are required to make an application to AEARS to have their child included on the Section 14 Statutory Register. The AEARS will then make an assessment of the educational provision to determine if the child is eligible to be placed on the Section 14 Statutory Register. Assessments at non-recognised Independent schools are carried out by an authorised person in line with the ‘Guidelines on the Assessment of Education in Places other than a Recognised School’, issued by my Department.

The number of non-recognised schools from 2010 to date, where children attending are eligible for Section 14 Registration, is provided in the table below:

There is no funding available from my Department, to assist with the cost of education, where parents choose to educate their child in a place other than in a recognised school.