Dublin The Dublin District Court has issued a stern warning to parents who fail to ensure their children attend school regularly. The court reprimanded the parents of a primary school student who has attended school for only nine days during the current academic year.
Judge Alec Gabbett expressed frustration during the proceedings, particularly as no significant improvement in the child’s attendance had been noted, despite the matter being previously brought before the court by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The judge adjourned the case to next month for further consideration and warned the parents that criminal charges would be pursued if their child’s attendance did not improve.
The parents have been prosecuted under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, which mandates that children of school-going age must attend school. During the hearing, the parents explained that their child had been unable to attend school due to episodes of vomiting upon arrival at the school gate. They also submitted a medical report as evidence. However, solicitor Sarah Ryan, representing Tusla, pointed out that the agency had not received any reports of such incidents. She further noted that the medical report appeared to be based solely on the mother’s account to the doctor, rather than an independent medical evaluation.
Tusla emphasised that the situation remains unresolved, noting that the child’s attendance rate this academic year is only 10.2%, with no improvement since legal action commenced. The court was informed that the child has not attended school since Christmas. Despite both parents being employed, a neighbour currently looks after the child at home. The parents argued that the child refuses to attend school and becomes distressed, even crying, when the topic is raised.
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