Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2026
169. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students placed on reduced school days in each of the years 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50016/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department’s position is that all pupils should attend school for the full day, with reduced school days (RSDs) used only in exceptional circumstances. Where applied, an RSD must be temporary, time-bound, and never used as a sanction or behavioural management tool.
In line with Programme for Government commitments, the Department introduced Reduced School Day Guidelines in September 2021, which came into effect on 1 January 2022. These guidelines provide a clear framework for schools and set out strict conditions governing the use of RSDs. They are permitted only in limited situations, such as to support a student’s reintegration into school or where there are specific medical or mental health eeds, and they require the explicit consent of parents or guardians.
Oversight and support are provided by the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), which operates under the Department and is responsible for collecting data and offering guidance through Educational Welfare Officers. The Department also works closely with TESS and the National Council for Special Education to ensure that RSDs are used appropriately and that students are supported to return to full-day attendance as soon as possible.
The use of RSDs is subject to ongoing monitoring, and schools are encouraged to engage with relevant support services. Parents who have concerns about the inappropriate use of reduced school days, or where consent has not been properly obtained, can raise the matter with their local Educational Welfare Officer, Special Educational Needs Organiser, or the Department, where it will be examined.
The most recent published data indicates that TESS received 1,275 first notifications of students on reduced school days during the 2023/24 school year, and updated figures for 2024/25 are expected to be published shortly. The figures for 2025/26 school year are currently being compiled by TESS and will be published at a later date.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
School Year |
Number of First Notifications of Reduced School Days |
|
2022/2023 |
1,044 |
|
2023/2024 |
1,275 |
