Number of children homeschooled more than doubled following closure of schools during covid

Data shows more than 2,500 children were on the register for home education at the end of June, compared to 1,566 children who were on the same register at the end of June 2020. Picture: iStock

The number of children homeschooled increased almost 60% in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic and the closure of schools.

Data published by Tusla shows more than 2,500 children were on the register for home education at the end of June.

This compares to 1,566 children who were on the same register at the end of June 2020.

Under the Education Act, Tusla is responsible for maintaining a register of all children who are home educated or who attend a non-recognised school.

The most recent monthly data published by the agency focuses on the first six months of the year. 

It shows 3,168 mandated reports of abuse were received in June alone. Almost 18,300 reports were received by Tusla in the first six months of the year, 18% more than during the same period in 2024. 

Teachers, gardaí and social workers, as well as other front-line staff who are in contact with children and families in their line of work such as nurses, midwives and doctors, are legally required to report suspected abuse to Tusla under the Children First Act.

The highest number of mandated reports for June 2025 were for emotional abuse (43%) followed by physical abuse (26%), neglect (17%) and sexual abuse (14%).

Members of An Garda Síochána made the most reports in the year to date, at 6,914, or 37.9%, of all reports. This was followed by teachers, safeguarding officers, social workers, and social care workers. 

Together, these five professions accounted for more than 80% of the mandated reports received during the first six months of the year. 

Separately, the number of referrals made to senior educational welfare services also increased during the first 10 months of the academic year starting in September 2024. 

Schools made 9,059 referrals to the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), an increase of 1,312 (17%) when compared to the same period the year prior. 

At the end of June, 4,362 referrals were on a waiting list for educational welfare services. TESS also worked with 3,838 new children in the first 10 months of the academic year starting in September 2024. This is 7% more than in the academic year prior. 

Meanwhile, parents seeking a special class or special school place for next year are urged to contact the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as soon as possible. 

The closing date for parents to contact the NCSE has been brought forward to October 1, four months earlier than in previous years. This is to provide more time for the establishment of new special classes and additional special school capacity. 

The earlier closing date will support more effective planning, according to education minister Helen McEntee. 

"We are encouraging parents to contact the NCSE as early as possible to begin the process," she said. "The NCSE have a dedicated online notification process in place. We strongly urge families to make initial contact with the NCSE without delay so that planning can begin."

The NCSE will continue to support children and young people who come forward after October 1 to access specialist places and supports, as was the case last year, she added.