Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
572. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she will publish research into the use of a reduced school day conducted under the schools' inspectorate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54787/22]
View answerA commitment was made under the Programme for Government to ensure robust data collection on the use of reduced school days and to further ensure that they are only used in a manner that is limited, appropriate and absolutely necessary.
During quarter four 2021, Department of Education Inspectors engaged with a number of school principals to explore the use of a reduced school day in certain circumstance. My Department issued guidelines to schools on reduced school days in September 2021 which came into effect from 1st January 2022.
My Department is working closely with Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to ensure that all students are supported to the greatest extent possible.
Tusla Education Support Service are tasked with gathering data from schools in relation to the use of reduced school days. It is my intention to publish this data in the near future and details will be on my Department's website. This data will inform the evaluation work of the Inspectorate in this area.
The communication of further guidance for the school system, including the use of student support teams in schools, and linkage with Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) and Education Welfare Officers (EWOs), in relation to the use of a reduced school day, will be progressed by the Department of Education.
