Homeschooling in Ireland
Legal with mandatory Tusla registration and minimum education assessment.
Home education is legal in Ireland, protected by the Constitution and regulated under Section 14 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. Parents must register with Tusla's Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) and demonstrate that the child receives a certain minimum education, moral, intellectual, and social. Registration is assessed and subject to periodic review.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
Yes
once
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Parents have legal obligation to apply for Section 14 registration with Tusla for home-educated children aged 6-16.
- Tusla maintains statutory register of children educated outside recognised schools.
- Assessment determines if child receives certain minimum education (moral, intellectual, social).
- Application requires form, child's birth certificate, and guardian consent; assessor conducts interview.
- Registration follows satisfactory assessment; appeal possible if refused.
- Parents retain overall responsibility for providing minimum education.
- Child removed from recognised school register only after Tusla confirmation.
Legal Framework
Education (Welfare) Act 2000, sections 14(1) requiring Tusla (Child and Family Agency) to maintain a register of children receiving education in a place other than a recognised school, and sections 15-16 governing assessment of whether such children receive a certain minimum education (moral, intellectual, and social). Responsible authority: Tusla's Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS).
Filing Requirements
What to file
Section 14 Registration Application Form
When
Before home education commences
Where
Tusla Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS)
How to submit
Online portal or postal submission to Tusla
What to include
- • Completed application form, child's birth certificate, guardian consent, details of educational provision (materials, time allocation, curriculum outline)
Application must be submitted before home education begins. Once a valid application is received, home education can commence while assessment is pending. Child's name is placed on Section 14 Register only after satisfactory assessment. Registration is subject to periodic review by Tusla.
How to Get Started
- 1
Prepare educational plan including curriculum outline, materials, and time allocation
- 2
Complete Section 14 Registration Application Form
- 3
Gather required documents: child's birth certificate, guardian consent
- 4
Submit application to Tusla AEARS via online portal or post
- 5
Receive acknowledgement of valid application; home education may commence
- 6
Participate in Tusla assessment (interview with authorised person)
- 7
Await assessment decision
- 8
Upon approval, child placed on Section 14 Register and removed from recognised school register if applicable
- 9
Comply with periodic review requirements
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Legally protected constitutional right
- ✓Flexible, personalised education
- ✓Access to state benefits equivalent to recognised school attendees
- ✓No mandatory curriculum or testing
- ✓Can incorporate diverse educational philosophies
- ✓Responsive to child's individual needs and pace
Cons
- •Mandatory registration and approval process
- •Tusla assessment may refuse registration if minimum standard not met
- •Periodic review creates ongoing compliance burden
- •Parental responsibility for all aspects of education
- •Absence of Irish language may negatively affect assessment
- •Requires substantial parental time and commitment
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · IE homeschool law guide