Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide information on the authorised staffing complement of the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla, including details of the number of persons in roles (details supplied). [28031/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the arrangements set out as part of the current Government formation, since January 2021 Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is under the remit of my Department.

TESS has three strands namely the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services, the Home School Community Liaison Scheme and the School Completion Programme. 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.

The EWS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of 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; to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education. Educational Welfare Officers (EWO's) work with families and children in a child-centered way to overcome barriers to their school attendance, participation and retention. They 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.

In Budget 2024 I increased the funding to TESS which allowed for an increase in the staffing compliment of the EWS. This has resulted in the recruitment of an additional 50 staff. The additional staff are primarily at EWO level. The total staffing of TESS, including the additional posts from 2024, is set out in the tables below.

Education Welfare Services are provided across 5 regions with an average of 24 EWO's per region. The total regional staffing of TESS is set out below.

As of the end of June 2024 there are no vacancies within the EWS service. Some newly recruited staff are currently onboarding. There is also an open and active EWO panel in place.

The most recent job specification for an EWO highlights the purpose of the role, the duties and responsibilities of an EWO and eligibility criteria. A copy of the job specification will be sent to the Deputy.

School enrolment figures for the 2023/2024 school year can be found on my Department's website at the following links (Primary gov - Primary schools enrolment figures (www.gov.ie) and Post-Primary (gov - Post-primary schools enrolment figures (www.gov.ie).