The parents of a 13-year-old boy who has an almost 90% school absence rate have been ordered to fully engage with the State’s efforts to assist them.

Gort District Court was told that the boy was refusing to attend school and that communication with the authorities by the parents of the child “left a lot to be desired”.

The parents, who are separated but have a ‘good relationship’, were summonsed to court under the Education Welfare Act 2000, for allegedly failing to adhere to a School Attendance Notice issued on March 12, 2024.

The court heard that the teenager had poor attendance at primary school for several years – missing 36% of school days in 2022/2023; and 59% in 2023/2024.

The situation had got even worse this year, said solicitor for the Child and Family Agency, Sarah Ryan, outlining that he had been absent 89.8% of the time – and hadn’t attended a full day of school since the return after Christmas.

“This is at a critical stage because of his age,” she said, noting that the child was in sixth class and had been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia.

He had displayed no behavioural issues in school, added Ms Ryan. A letter handed into the court by defending solicitor Ann Gillane from the boy’s GP outlined that he had been “physically sick” on occasion as his mother attempted to send him to school.

Education Welfare Officer Liam Rodger said he had been involved in this case since 2020 and had held 15 meetings with the parents.

While their attendance at meetings – particularly that of the mother – was good, their returning of forms to secure services such as occupational therapy for the boy, was far too slow and was delaying access to critical supports.

Judge Alec Gabbett warned of serious consequences for the child if he did not receive an education, noting that every aspect of life required the ability to read and write, particularly in the internet age. He said support would be provided if the parents needed assistance with forms – they just needed to ask.

Mr Rodger expressed some concern that the boy was not getting enough sleep and said on the few occasions he was in school, he was exhausted.

He said when questioned on this, his mother had said he was allowed stay up until 11pm at night and after he had suggested in a meeting that a better sleep routine would help, she had accidently sent him a text, meant for someone else, describing it as ‘ridiculous’ that a child of 11 should be expected to go to bed before midnight.

While it was evident that the boy “doesn’t like school”, Judge Gabbett said he was a minor and “doesn’t get to make those decisions”.

“He’s getting to make far too many decisions – he goes to bed when he likes; he goes to school when he likes.

“You are going to end up, possibly, with criminal records if this continues,” the judge warned the teenager’s parents.

Ms Gillane said the parents were doing their best and despite having begged the boy to go to school on the day of the court sitting, he had refused.

Judge Gabbett said the court had been handed a report of a National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) assessment carried out on the child two years ago which showed he faced very significant challenges.

“The poor boy is struggling really badly at school,” he said. “I would assume it is because he is struggling that he doesn’t want to go there.”

A new NEPS assessment should be carried out, continued Judge Gabbett, warning the parents that if they don’t engage with the service, “they are going to have to deal with me”.

He said Mr Rogers and the Child and Family Agency, along with the court, wanted to assist the parents to ensure the child got an education.

“I’m a little concerned you think we’re against you,” said Judge Gabbett.

“This is too important. He’ll be 17 before you know it and what will we do with him then?,” he said, adding that finding work will be a serious struggle without an education.

Putting the case back to the end of February, Judge Gabbett said he wanted to see significant progress, adding that he would be willing to hear from the child if that’s what it took.

“I’m going to sit on this like the proverbial hen,” he said to the parents.

“If Mr Roger says jump, they need to say, ‘how high?’ If he wants to meet them, they need to be there,” he said.

Pictured: Warning…Judge Alec Gabbett.