Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
306. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education in cases in which a child with special needs is receiving home tuition and the home is not a suitable space, the supports that can be provided when an alternate space is found (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13038/25]
View answerEnsuring that every child with special educational needs gets a suitable education is a priority for the Department of Education.
The Department’s Home Tuition Grant Schemes provides funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for several reasons, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement for whom such a placement is not available. Likewise, provision is made for early educational intervention for children aged from 2.5 years to 3 years with autism. By its nature, the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is intended to be a short-term intervention and should not be regarded as an alternative to school.
The Home Tuition Grant Scheme provides for tuition only. To facilitate the payment of the home tuition, the Department acts as payroll agent on behalf of the parent/legal guardian. Parents/legal guardians source and engage tutors for the provision of home tuition in a private arrangement. While the conditions for home tuition prescribe that tuition should take place in the child’s home, occasionally families may choose a different arrangement to facilitate the tuition. However, this remains a private arrangement between parent/legal guardian and the tutor.
Officials from my department are happy to engage with parents to provide any support they can with the aim of ensuring the child concerned can access home tuition.
