Kathleen Funchion
Question:403. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the reason the school hours of a child (details supplied) have been reduced. [24745/20]
View answerTuesday, 22 September 2020
Questions (403)
Written answers
Each child has a right to education to enable them to live a full life as a child and to realise his or her potential as a unique individual. All pupils who are enrolled in a school should attend school for the full day, unless exempted from doing so for exceptional circumstances, such as medical reasons.
Where schools apply a shorter school day in relation to a child, such arrangements should only be put in place in exceptional circumstances in order to assist a pupil to return to a school, where a pupil has been experiencing an absence due to a medical or behavioural related condition. Reduced timetables should not be used as a behavioural management technique, or as a de facto suspension or expulsion. Any such arrangement should be a transitionary arrangement, which is designed to assist the reintegration of a pupil to a school environment.
In making any such arrangements, school authorities should be mindful of the best interests of the child and of the child's right to a full day in school. Schools should seek the advice of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) before implementing such arrangements.
In relation to the particular case raised by the Deputy, I understand that the school is currently engaged with the relevant support services and agencies, including NEPS and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), with a view to ensuring that the needs of the child can be catered for. I also understand that a further review meeting involving all of these parties is scheduled for early October to progress matters.