1287. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her role in finding school places for children who are unable to find a suitable school place. [62316/26]

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), which includes the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS), is under the remit of my department and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The primary role of the EWS is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education, to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.

Educational welfare officers (EWOs) are based throughout the country to offer advice and guidance to parents who need support in ensuring that their child attends schools regularly. EWOs work with children, young people and their families who are experiencing difficulty with school attendance; this is done through, home visits, educational welfare conferences and collaboratively working with different agencies. The main priority of the work is around the welfare of children and young people and to ensure that concerns around school attendance are addressed before attendance becomes a crisis issue. EWOs also support parents and guardians who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child.

All referrals to the EWS are screened and assessed by a senior EWO. Referrals to the EWS may be made throughout the school year. A referral for a child without a school place is prioritised by the EWS and an EWO is assigned immediately to support families who are in this situation. These cases remain open until such time as a school place is offered and accepted.

If a parent requires advice or guidance at any time, they can contact the local EWS regional office for their area. Contact details are available at the following link: www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/