Last year, more than 100 court summonses were sent to parents about their kids’ attendance at school. There were just one conviction out of the many summonses issued—down from 38 the year before, reports The Mirror.
In response to inquiries from Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny, Education Minister Norma Foley disclosed the numbers. By law, the school is required to notify Tusla if a student misses more than 20 days of class.
Tusla is required to issue a School Attendance Notice to a parent if it determines that the parent is not bringing their kid to school. This serves as a warning that if the youngster misses school on a frequent basis, legal action will ensue. Prior to issuing the warning, Tusla is required to make a good faith effort to speak with the kid and the parents, reports The Mirror.
In 2023, 414 school attendance reminders pertaining to 268 youngsters were sent out. In 106 of these cases, the parents of 61 children received court summonses. A total of 57 cases were postponed, while 23 were dropped and 14 were dismissed. In eleven incidents, bench warrants were obtained.
But in 2023, there was just one conviction related to children skipping school. From 38 convictions in 2022, this was a decrease.
Minister Foley stated that as “court action must ultimately be in the best interests of the child,” the Educational Welfare Service “only takes legal action for nonattendance at school when all other steps have failed and following consultation with the school and other services,” reports The Mirror.
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