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Homeschooling is a constitutional right in Ireland. The Irish Constitution recognises parents as the primary and natural educators of their children. The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 formalises this right and establishes a registration process through Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. You do not need to follow the national curriculum. This guide covers the legal framework, how to register with Tusla, the assessment process, curriculum options and costs.
Yes. Home education is a constitutional right in Ireland. Article 42 of the Irish Constitution states: "The State acknowledges that the primary and natural educator of the child is the Family and guarantees to respect the inalienable right and duty of parents to provide, according to their means, for the religious and moral, intellectual, physical and social education of their children." The State's role is to ensure children receive a "certain minimum education," not to dictate how that education is delivered.
This Act formalises the registration and assessment process for home-educated children. Under Section 14, Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) maintains a register of all children educated outside recognised schools. Parents have a legal obligation to apply for registration when they choose to homeschool. Registration covers children aged 6 to 16.
The Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is the branch of Tusla that handles homeschooling registration. The process works as follows: you submit an application form with a certified copy of your child's birth certificate; an authorised assessor contacts you to arrange an interview (at a venue of your choice); the assessor evaluates whether your child is receiving a "certain minimum education" based on the 2003 Guidelines; if satisfied, your child's name is placed on the Section 14 Register.
If the preliminary assessment is inconclusive, Tusla may carry out a more detailed comprehensive assessment, which involves observing how you teach, reviewing educational materials and talking with your child. If Tusla determines the education is not adequate, you have 21 days to appeal.
Ireland does not require homeschooling families to follow the national curriculum. The "certain minimum education" standard is broad and is assessed against guidelines that consider the child's age, ability, interests and future needs. You are free to choose any curriculum or combination of curricula, including international programmes.
Home Education Network (HEN). HEN Ireland is the main community and support organisation for home-educating families. It provides guidance on the Tusla registration process, organises local meetups and activities, and connects families across Ireland. Visit henireland.org for support and resources.
Submit the home education application form to Tusla's AEARS. You will need a certified copy of your child's birth certificate and the written consent of all legal guardians. Once Tusla receives your completed form, you have met the legal requirement under Section 14.
If your child is currently enrolled in a school, the school cannot remove your child from its register until Tusla confirms placement on the Section 14 Register. The school will hold your child's place during the assessment process. You can begin homeschooling once you have submitted your application to Tusla.
You can follow any curriculum. Options include the Cambridge* International British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel, the US K-12 programme, or a parent-designed approach using resources of your choice. If you enrol with CambriLearn, the school provides the curriculum, teaching, materials and assessment.
The Tusla assessor will want to understand how you plan to cover the areas outlined in the guidelines: intellectual, social, moral, physical and personal development. Having a clear plan, evidence of your chosen curriculum and examples of your child's work will support the assessment. Most families are placed on the register after the preliminary assessment.
While Ireland does not mandate specific record-keeping, maintaining a portfolio of your child's work, progress notes and assessment results supports future Tusla review assessments and university applications.
Irish families can follow any curriculum. The Leaving Certificate is Ireland's standard university entry qualification, but international qualifications are also accepted by Irish and international universities.
| Curriculum | Qualification | Irish University Admission | International Recognition | Via CambriLearn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irish National | Junior Cycle, Leaving Certificate | Direct via CAO points | Ireland, UK | No |
| Cambridge Int.* | Int. GCSE, AS, A-Level | Accepted via CAO with conversion | 160+ countries | Yes, private candidate exams |
| Pearson Edexcel | Int. GCSE, Int. A-Level | Accepted via CAO with conversion | 80+ countries | Yes, accredited centre |
| US K-12 | US High School Diploma | Accepted with credential evaluation | US, NCAA approved | Yes, Cognia accredited |
Irish university admission with international qualifications. The CAO (Central Applications Office) accepts A-Level results and converts them to CAO points for Irish university admission. Cambridge* A-Levels and Edexcel International A-Levels both qualify. This means homeschooled students following an international curriculum can apply to UCD, Trinity College Dublin, UCC, NUI Galway and all other Irish universities through the standard CAO process.
The Leaving Certificate challenge for homeschoolers. Sitting the Irish Leaving Certificate as a homeschooled student can be complex because it typically requires school-based assessment components. Many Irish homeschooling families choose international curricula specifically because the exams can be sat as a private candidate at registered exam centres, without needing to be enrolled in a school.
