Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
635. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if it is the policy position of her Department that home-schooling can cause social isolation by limiting the ability of children to socialise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16398/23]
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 school which is not recognised in accordance with section 10 of the Education Act.
While the State cannot oblige parents/guardians to send their children to recognised schools, it must satisfy itself that all children receive a certain minimum education.
Tusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) has oversight of the regulation of provision for education in places other than in recognised schools. Its function is to assess the educational provision for children who are not attending a recognised school and to maintain a register of all children being educated in a place other than in a recognised school.
In accordance with Section 14 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, all parents/guardians who want to educate their child in a place other than in a recognised school, must register their child with Tusla. Tusla will arrange for the education being provided to be assessed to ensure that it meets a certain minimum standard.
