Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 November 2020
304. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the grants, funding or compensation available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39267/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is responsible for addressing issues in relation to participation, retention and attendance in schools.
The Education Welfare Act, 2000 sets out to provide for the entitlement of every child in the state to a certain minimum education and this Act led to the establishment of the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Educational Welfare Service in 2002. In 2014 the functions of the NEWB were transferred into Tusla - the Child and Family Agency under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013.
Through the Education and Training Boards (ETB) and previously the Vocational Education Committees (VEC) substantial provision has been made for compensatory education for adults ranging from Adult Literacy right through to the completion of state examinations at Junior and Leaving Certificate level and with the support of adult guidance onwards to further a higher education. There is no compensation scheme in existence for cases such as the Deputy raises, however a range of supports for adult learners are available through Education and Training Boards. I would encourage the Deputy to make contact with Kerry ETB to establish the best approach for his constituent (https://www.kerryetb.ie/baile), and to liaise with my colleague the Minister for Education for further guidance and assistance.
Article 42 of the Constitution clearly outlines that the family is the primary and natural educator of the child and that parents have a duty to provide for the education of their child(ren). Parents are free to provide this education in their own homes or to send their child(ren) to school but there is no obligation on any parent to send their child to school.
