Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
402. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the position in relation to the rights of parents to homeschool their children; the manner in which a parent can commence homeschool education; if there have been changes to home-schooling regulations in relation to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23272/21]
View answerThe Irish constitution acknowledges the role of a parent/guardian as the primary educator of the child and has enshrined in law that a parent/guardian may home educate a child or may choose to send their child to a non-recognised school (i.e. a school which is not recognised by the Minister in accordance with section 10 of the Education Act 1998).
In line with the provisions of Section 14(1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, Tusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is responsible for the regulation of provision for education in places other than recognised schools. Parents wishing to home educate their child or to send their child to a non-recognised school are required by law to make an application to the AEARS to have their child included on the Section 14 statutory register. This includes an assessment by the AEARS of the educational provision to determine if the child is in receipt of a certain minimum education in line with ministerial guidance. Further information, and detailed guidance for parents in relation to this application and assessment process is available on the Tusla website at: www.tusla.ie/services/family-community-support/alternative-education-assessment-and-registration-service/.
In line with the current guidelines issued by the government regarding the on-going Covid-19 public health restrictions, the AEARS is working closely with families to make arrangements to carry out assessments of home education in line with public health guidance.
