Ministers Naughton and Moynihan announce funding boost to iScoil
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan, have today announced a boost in funding for iScoil, enabling the expansion of home tuition for children who have been out of school for a significant period as a result of mental health challenges.
iScoil is an autonomous online learning community offering a flexible, adaptive, and inclusive model of education for young people aged 13 to 16 who have been out of school for six months or more. Using digital technologies and a personalised approach, iScoil helps students re-engage with learning and progress towards returning to mainstream education.
This new investment will provide 70 additional places, bringing the total capacity to 250 students in 2026. This will bring the total annual funding for this service to €1.2 million.
Minister Naughton stated:
“Every child and young person should be supported to attend school with their peers, particularly those who may be experiencing mental health challenges. This funding boost for iScoil will expand on an approach that is flexible and personalised to young people who may find the concept of being in a busy school overwhelming. By maintaining engagement and connection with learning and education, building confidence and developing the emotional readiness, our focus is on achieving a long lasting return to mainstream education for young people among their friends and peers.”
Minister Moynihan said:
“ iScoil plays an important role in the wider education ecosystem, and is a vital support for families around the country should such a need arise. This extra funding will make a significant difference for children experiencing mental health difficulties, supporting them on their journey back to school.”
Notes to Editors
Registered under Section 14 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, iScoil provides education to children outside recognised schools. The Department of Education and Youth has significantly increased funding in recent years, growing capacity from 80 places to 180 over the last two years and now adding a further 70 places for 2026.
This provision is particularly suited for students who have been out of school for a long period due to reluctant attendance, feeling anxious or other mental health needs, where an alternative, flexible learning approach is required.
Places are available only through referral by Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) educational welfare officers (EWOs). iScoil also partners with agencies, youth services, and School Completion Programmes nationwide to offer blended learning centres, which are safe, youth-friendly spaces combining online instruction with face-to-face support.
Support workers in these centres monitor attendance, engagement, and progression, with training provided by iScoil to ensure high-quality support for students.