Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
608. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department intends to establish an interim national educational pathway for children on reduced timetables, limited home tuition, or awaiting suitable school placements who do not meet the current eligibility criteria for iScoil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39737/26]
View answerThis government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
It is my department’s policy, in accordance with the principles of inclusive education, that students with additional learning needs are supported in mainstream classes along with their peers, with additional supports provided as necessary.
The department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools and students with special educational needs in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an education that meets their needs.
The functions of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) include planning and coordinating the provision of education and support services to children and young people with special educational needs in conjunction with schools and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports as required.?
My department's Home Tuition Grant Schemes provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. By its nature, it is intended to be a short-term intervention.
The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for:
(a) Pre-School Children with autism who meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria
(b) Children seeking a Special School or Special Class placement
(c) Students, enrolled in schools, with a significant medical condition, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school
(d) Students, enrolled in schools, with school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school
The iScoil programme is an autonomous online learning community for young people who are out of school and who require a flexible, personalised learning approach. It works primarily with students aged 13 to 16 who have been out of school for six months or more and aims to support re-engagement, accreditation and progression back to school, further education or training.
Access to iScoil is by referral only through Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) Educational Welfare Officers. The final decision on admission is made by the iScoil Referral Panel, comprising the iScoil CEO, an iScoil Board representative, a Programme Team representative and a representative of TESS senior management.
There must be clear evidence on all referrals that a return to school is not viable and that all interventions have been attempted. Referrals are considered at three home-based intake points each year. At each Referral Panel meeting, the evidence provided in each referral is assessed and available places are allocated to those young people presenting with the highest level of need.
My department recognises that there are children and young people on reduced timetables, receiving limited home tuition, or awaiting a suitable school placement who may not meet the current eligibility criteria for iScoil. These students continue to be supported through schools, the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Special Education and TESS.
My department keeps the range of educational supports available to children and young people under ongoing review, including the needs of those who are temporarily unable to access full-time mainstream education. The forthcoming independent evaluation of iScoil, together with continued engagement with relevant stakeholders, will help inform future policy considerations regarding the development of additional interim educational pathways for this cohort.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to achieve their full potential.
