Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
490. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of eligible referrals to the iScoil programme that were refused in each academic year since 2022/2023; the principal reasons for refusal; whether alternative educational provision was offered in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36729/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra491. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is satisfied that the absence of a waiting list for iScoil provides adequate transparency and accountability in circumstances where eligible referrals are refused due to funding or capacity limitations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36730/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra492. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has assessed the need for an interim educational pathway for children on reduced timetables, limited home tuition or without a secured school place who do not meet current eligibility criteria for iScoil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36731/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 490, 491 and 492 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.
Access to iScoil is by referral only through the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) Educational Welfare Service. All referrals to iScoil must be submitted by an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) for young people aged 13-16 (inclusive) who have been out of school for a minimum of 6 months and have not completed the Junior Cycle or equivalent. 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.
The number of eligible home-based referrals and the number of eligible referrals that were not offered a place in each academic year since 2022/23 are set out below.
|
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 |
All of the referrals included in the above table met the eligibility criteria for iScoil. The principal reason that these young people are not offered a place is that there are a limited number of places available relative to demand. As iScoil is a registered charity, it relies on grant-in-aid from my Department together with philanthropic funding to operate. Were additional funding available, more places could be provided. In recognition of the increasing demand for placements in the programme, my department has significantly increased support for iScoil in recent years. Department funding has increased from €395,000 in 2021, supporting 80 places, to €1,210,000 in 2026, supporting up to 250 places under the current Service Level Agreement. This reflect the departments commitment to expanding capacity for this vulnerable cohert of students.
iScoil does not operate a waiting list. I am satisfied that this approach is appropriate, as places are allocated at each intake to those with the highest level of need based on the evidence presented at that time. A waiting list could result in a young person with more acute needs being placed behind those whose referrals were submitted earlier. In addition, where a referral is unsuccessful, responsibility remains with the TESS to continue working with the young person and their family to identify other supports, rather than prolonging the period without educational engagement.
Young people who are eligible for iScoil remain enrolled in their schools and continue to have access to the supports available through their schools including, where appropriate, the Special Education Home Tuition Grant Scheme. Responsibility for supporting a young person who is not offered an iScoil place remains with TESS.
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.
