Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:538. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of home-educated second level students in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9206/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 February 2026
Ceisteanna (538)
Freagraí scríofa
Tusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is under the remit of my department. AEARS is responsible for the regulation of provision of education in places other than recognised schools, including children who are home schooled or children who are enrolled in a non-recognised independent school.
Assessments 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 data requested by the Deputy for home schooled students (aged 12-16) as of the end of 2025 is as follows:
|
Total of home schooled children aged 12-16 on the Section 14 Register |
1,276 |
|
Total number of open applications (awaiting assessment, assessment complete and awaiting registration) for home schooled children aged 12-16 to be included on the Section 14 Register |
179 |
|
Total |
1,455 |
In addition, the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is available from my department to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. Home Tuition is provided as an interim, short-term measure and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.
My department provides home tuition under the following categories -
• home tuition for children with special educational needs and on medical grounds,
• home tuition in respect of maternity-related absences, and,
• home tuition for children temporarily without a school place or an offer of a school place or children in care without a school place
The following table outlines the total number of post-primary children currently in receipt of Home Tuition under each category:
|
Year |
No School Place |
Children in Care |
Maternity Related |
Mental Health |
Medical |
SEN - No School Place |
|
2025/2026 |
108 |
6 |
3 |
344 |
89 |
29 |
Question No. 539 answered with Question No. 537.
Question No. 540 answered with Question No. 537.
Question No. 541 answered with Question No. 537.