Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2026
220. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children eligible for a special school place aged 12 years or up availing of the Home Tuition programme in the 2025-2026 school year. [54110/26]
View answerThe Home Tuition Grant Scheme is available to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school.
Home tuition is provided as an interim measure only. It is a short-term measure and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.
Under the scheme, funding may be provided for children with special educational needs who are seeking a Special School or Special Class placement and who meet the eligibility criteria.
For the 2025/26 school year, there were 23 children who were sanctioned home tuition and who were aged 12 years or older (or turned 12 during the 2025/26 school year) while awaiting an appropriate special school placement.
The Department continues to work closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and school patrons to ensure that sufficient special education placements are available to meet identified needs and that home tuition remains an interim support measure pending the provision of an appropriate school placement.
