Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
1169. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has undertaken studies of school attendance and participation among children living in homeless households; if so, if she will provide figures on school attendance and participation; if not, the reason therefore; and if she will establish such a study. [34513/17]
View answerI am advised by the Education and Welfare Service, (EWS) of Tusla, that they do not gather national or regional data specifically on school attendance and participation among children experiencing homelessness. For many children in temporary accommodation school attendance is maintained, particularly if the family is accommodated close to where the children currently attend school.
Where school attendance becomes a concern referrals are made to Tusla EWS by schools. In these cases Tusla EWS works with the family to support attendance in the child's current school or assists the family to get an appropriate school place close to their temporary accommodation.
Studying school attendance and participation of children living in homelessness would be challenging. In many cases families experiencing homelessness maintain their children's school attendance and don't inform school authorities that the family is experiencing homelessness. Sharing this information with schools is at the discretion of each family.
