John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the legal costs incurred on Tusla from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42186/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is under the remit of my department and 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 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, parents and guardians and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people.

Tusla Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is also under the remit of my Department and is responsible for the regulation of provision for education in places other than recognised schools.

My department does not hold the information sought by the Deputy. Tusla has advised my department that the agency does not break down legal fees relating to TESS and AEARS from legal fees relating to other functions of the agency, including functions under the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.