Mayo parent fined for repeatedly failing to send daughter to school

A Mayo mother has been fined for repeatedly failing to send her daughter to school.

The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, took the case against the student's mother over her failure to abide by the State's legal requirements to have a child attend school under the Education Welfare Act 2000.

The mother cannot be named to protect the child's identity.

The case was brought on foot of a referral received by Tusla in January 2022 from the girl’s national school once her non-attendance exceeded 21 days.

Siobhán O’Brien, education welfare officer with Tusla, told the court that she met with the child’s mother and school principal following the referral.

There was no reason offered for the child’s absence other than illness. Parental supports were offered but the mother said they were not needed.

The child’s attendance did not improve and she had an absentee rate of 32% in the 2022/23 school year, missing 59 days out of 183.

The next year it was worse with an absentee rate of 46% or 84 days.

The matter first came before the courts last March and Ms. O’Brien said it was concerning that the child has been absent for 24% of the current school year. The child is now in secondary school and the school has since made similar referrals to Tusla.

Ms. O’Brien said it has been her experience that these situations tend to improve once legal proceedings begin, but there has no been “no great improvement” in this situation.

She said the child presents as happy when she is in school and has made friends.

The mother’s solicitor, Ms. Samantha Geraghty, said there has been an improvement in the last three weeks and the mother has given an indication she will engage with support services.

The new year has brought "a new attitude", said Ms. Geraghty.

However, Ms. O’Brien disputed this and said the child has missed two and a half days out of seven since the start of the latest term.

Ms. Geraghty said her client has now agreed to avail of parenting supports and the child has enrolled in her local Foróige group.

The mother works part-time and has adult children who live at home.

The defendant gave reassurances to the court that her child will attend school.

However, Tusla's solicitor, Mr. James Ward, said the mother has given similar reassurances in the past.

Judge Sandra Murphy asked the mother why her child had not been in school, to which the defendant said her child had been ill.

However, Judge Murphy did not accept this excuse and said the girl's education must be a priority because she is at a “crucial stage in life."

“What is crucial is that she gets an education. It will be too late to go back in a year or two. It is so vital that she goes,” the judge said.

She added there was “a strong family unit” at home with enough adults living in the house to make sure that the teenager makes it to school every morning.

Judge Murphy imposed a fine of €300 and told the mother it was up to her to ensure her child goes to school.

* Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.