Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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iScoil is a registered charity which is currently jointly funded by the Presentation Sisters and the Department of Education. iScoil provides educational supports to children and young people who are either eligible for or are already receiving support from my Department under the medical strand of the Special Education Home Tuition Grant Scheme. During the academic year 2023/2024, the Department of Education funded 150 iScoil places.

iScoil is an online learning community specifically for young people who are out of school. Its purpose is to enable the young person to re-engage in learning with the help of digital technologies and a personalized approach to learning online.

iScoil works with students who are between 13 to 16 years of age and who have been out of school for 6 months or more due to being diagnosed with either school phobia, anxiety or associated depression. These students generally do not have their Junior Cycle examinations completed and are at risk of leaving school early without having completed a state examination.

Referrals to iScoil are made by Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) in instances when the standard model of Home Tuition delivery is considered to be the first option for a young person who is unable to attend school due to anxiety/mental health issues.

According to iScoil, since its inception, 80% of all home-based and centre-based students have achieved recognised QQI level 3 accreditation while 82% have returned to education and training.

In relation to the Deputy’s question, iScoil have never requested funding for a QQI Level 4 programme from the Department of Education. They have, however, successfully piloted a QQI Level 4 intervention. Places were offered to a small number of young people who did not have other viable progression options once they attained the QQI Level 3 qualification. Should a proposal for funding for a QQI level 4 programme be made by iScoil, my Department will take this proposal under consideration.