334. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports in place for financing books for children who are home schooled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53512/26]

The Constitution acknowledges the family as the primary and natural educator of the child and sets out the rights and duties of the State in the matter of education. The Constitution makes explicit that the State does not oblige parents to send their children to any particular type of school. Parents are free to provide education in their homes, in non-recognised schools, or in schools recognised or established by the State.

In line with the provisions of Section 14(1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, Tusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is responsible for the regulation of the provision of education for children in places other than in a recognised school, including children who are homeschooled or who are enrolled in a non-recognised school. This is to ensure that such children receive a certain minimum education.

The funding provided under my department’s Primary and Post-Primary Schoolbooks Scheme is specifically to provide free schoolbooks and core classroom resources to all students enrolled in primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. There is therefore no funding available from my department towards the cost of schoolbooks where parents opt to homeschool their children.