A Carlow mother is preparing to face prison today after she refused to pay a fine over her children's homeschooling.

Monica O'Connor and her husband Eddie O'Neill have six children who have all been educated at home - and Eddie is also expecting to serve a sentence at a later date.

The fine relates to the fact that she did not apply for permission to have the education she provides to two of her younger children assessed.

The Education Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency want to examine what the children are being taught.

Ms O'Connor says this makes nonsense of their right to home school their children - as "if you have to ask permission, permission can be refused" she says.

All six of their children have been home schooling their children, three of whom have gone on to third-level education.

Ms O'Connor told Newstalk Breakfast she is not taking the prospect of jail lightly but that she has to make a stand.