Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2026
502. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children on Register 14 of TESS; the percentage of whom are identified as having AEN/SEN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7782/26]
View answer503. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children awaiting assessment via AEARS in order to be added to register 14 on TESS; the percentage of whom are identified as having AEN/SEN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7783/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 502 and 503 together.
Tusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is under the remit of my Department.
The Constitution of Ireland acknowledges the family as the primary and natural educator of the child and sets out the rights and duties of the State in the matter of education. The Constitution makes explicit that the State does not oblige parents to send their children to any particular type of school. Parents are free to provide education in their homes, in private schools, or in schools recognised or established by the State.
AEARS is responsible for the regulation of provision for education in places other than recognised schools, including children who are home schooled or who are enrolled in a non-recognised independent school.
Parents who wish to educate their child in a place other than a recognised school are required to make an application to AEARS to have their child included on the Section 14 Statutory Register. AEARS will then make an assessment of the educational provision to determine if the child is eligible to be placed on the register.
Assessments at non-recognised independent schools are carried out by an authorised person in line with the ‘Guidelines on the Assessment of Education in Places other than a Recognised School’, issued by my Department.
The number of children on the Section 14 Statutory Register for home education as at the end of December 2025 is 2,592 and, of these, 16.5% (428) are identified as having AEN/SEN. The number of children awaiting assessment for home education by the AEARS as at the end of December 2025 is 350 and, of these, 30% (105) are identified as having AEN/SEN.
