Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Tusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) conducts follow-up assessments or monitoring of young people aged below 16 who are participating in the Youthreach programme in order to ensure their continued engagement and progression within the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17884/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Tusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is under the remit of my Department.

AEARS is responsible for the regulation of provision for education in places other than recognised schools and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention.

In line with the provisions of Section 14 (1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, those wishing to educate their children in a place other than a recognised school are required to make an application to AEARS to have their child’s name placed on the Section 14 Statutory Register. In line with these statutory provisions, the function of the AEARS is to make assessment of the educational provision for children against ministerial guidance, in order to determine if a child can be placed on the statutory register. This is to ensure that children receive a certain minimum education, as set out in Irish legislation and guidelines. This process involves the completion of an assessment by the AEARS, conducted in consultation with the parents/guardians involved.

In the case where a child under 16 on the Section 14 Statutory Register is confirmed to be participating in Youthreach, the AEARS does not conduct any follow-up assessments or ongoing monitoring. Following formal confirmation with Youthreach that the child is in attendance and when the child reaches their 16th birthday AEARS will proceed to remove the child from the Section 14 Statutory Register and write to the parents informing them of same.