Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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490. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an increase in school absence reports under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 as a result of Covid-19 infection will divert resources from urgent reports on welfare grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9896/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has provided guidance to schools in relation to the recording and reporting of COVID-19 related absences. COVID-19 related absences arising from students who have been requested to self-isolate by a medical professional or for students who feel unwell with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be recorded in accordance with the school’s normal procedures for the notification and recording of absences. However these COVID-19 related absences should be noted by the school as explained absences.

Notwithstanding the current COVID-19 related environment that schools are now operating in, the statutory requirements for reporting student absenteeism will continue as normal. In this respect the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 requires the principal of a recognised school to maintain records of the attendance or non-attendance on each school day of each student registered at that school which is reported to Tusla.

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) receives notifications of all absences from school in line with the provisions of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. TESS is very aware that some students will be absent for Covid-19-related reasons. Absences are reported to TESS as explained and unexplained, and together they make up the cumulative number of days marked absent. This has remained the reporting requirement throughout COVID-19 pandemic.

Referrals are made to TESS on the basis of a concern in relation to school attendance. This is a separate process to school absence reporting. All referrals to TESS are screened and prioritised for intervention by an Educational Welfare Officer. An increase in school absenteeism due to explained absences will not impact on service delivery in respect of referrals to educational welfare service.