I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 to 410, inclusive, together.
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. iScoil is registered under section 14 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.
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. The panel meets three times annually.
In the 2024/25 academic year, 545 students accessed iScoil, including both home-based and centre-based provision. The expected total for 2025/26 is approximately 575 students, noting that the academic year is ongoing.
The geographical breakdown for 2024/25 is as follows:
|
County
|
No. of students
|
County
|
No. of students
|
|
Carlow
|
11
|
Cavan
|
4
|
|
Clare
|
14
|
Cork
|
55
|
|
Donegal
|
15
|
Dublin
|
169
|
|
Galway
|
14
|
Kerry
|
16
|
|
Kildare
|
42
|
Kilkenny
|
9
|
|
Laois
|
11
|
Leitrim
|
1
|
|
Limerick
|
19
|
Longford
|
12
|
|
Louth
|
32
|
Mayo
|
7
|
|
Meath
|
24
|
Monaghan
|
12
|
|
Offaly
|
11
|
Roscommon
|
3
|
|
Sligo
|
6
|
Tipperary
|
4
|
|
Waterford
|
6
|
Westmeath
|
12
|
|
Wexford
|
17
|
Wicklow
|
19
|
For home-based provision, the below table outlines the Number of eligible home-based referrals, and the number that were subsequently turned down, for the last number of years.
|
Academic Year
|
Number of eligible home-based referrals
|
Number of eligible home-based referrals turned down
|
|
2025/2026
|
344
|
134
|
|
2024/2025
|
315
|
117
|
|
2023/2024
|
241
|
55
|
|
2022/2023
|
181
|
75
|
|
Totals
|
1081
|
381
|
iScoil does not operate a waiting list. For successful home-based referrals, the average time from referral to placement is approximately two months, depending on the timing of the referral and the availability of funded places.
The Department provides grant funding to iScoil under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014. The current agreement provides for educational support to a maximum of 250 students who are eligible for, or in receipt of, support under the medical strand of the Special Education Home Tuition Grant Scheme. The 2026 commitment is €1,210,000 in grant aid under the current SLA. The funding allocated by my Department to iScoil over the last number of years is as follows:
|
Calendar Year
|
Funding Provided
|
|
2023
|
€577,500
|
|
2024
|
€727,500
|
|
2025
|
€873,000
|
|
2026 YTD
|
€605,000
|
The SLA between the Department and iScoil is reviewed on an annual basis. The agreement addresses issues including the referral processes; conditions of funding, educational components; qualifications of teachers; financial arrangements; inspection and duration of the agreement. Outcomes are measured by the number of children who are reintegrated into their school place and/or who successfully complete a QQI Level 3 qualification.
iScoil’s work is independently evaluated every three years. An independent evaluation of the home-based service is currently underway and is expected to be finalised and published in summer 2026. Previous reviews include a Crowleys DFK compliance audit commissioned by Tusla, a Department Inspectorate review of iScoil in School Completion Programme settings completed in 2023, and Dr. Eemer Eivers’ 2021 evaluation of iScoil’s home-based provision. These reviews have found iScoil to be well governed, compliant, an effective intervention and provides value for money for a highly vulnerable cohort. Dr Eemer Eivers’ 2021 evaluation of iScoil’s home-based provision can be found at the following link:[The Efficacy of iScoil’s Home-Based Provision (Eivers, 2021)]
In relation to eligibility, iScoil is intended for a specific cohort of young people. Those who have fully disengaged from mainstream school and a return to school is not viable in the short to medium term. It is not intended as a general placement option for young people on reduced timetables or for families who are unable to secure a mainstream school place. Where a young person is receiving home tuition and a return to school is not viable, iScoil may be considered as a viable option at the discretion of the Educational Welfare Officer. However, not all referrals are accepted, as the number of available places is determined by funding and capacity. Funding and places have increased from €192,500 for 40 places in the 2019/2020 school year, to €1,210,000 for 250 places in 2026.
Tusla Education Support Service is the sole referral pathway. Other agencies do not directly initiate referrals to iScoil. The criteria applied include that the young person is:
Aged 13 to 16;
Has been out of mainstream education for a minimum of six months;
Has a diagnosis such as school phobia, anxiety or associated depression;
Has not completed the Junior Cycle;
Is not likely to pursue State examinations; and
Other interventions have been unsuccessful.
The Department recognises the increasing demand for iScoil and has increased funding and the number of supported places over recent years. It will continue to engage with iScoil and Tusla in relation to demand, outcomes, governance and the forthcoming independent evaluation.
