Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
132. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline recent changes to the home tuition scheme; her views on the additional requirement for a psychological report within six-months; if she is aware of the exclusionary effects of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10538/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Home Tuition Grant Schemes provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school.
The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for:
Pre-School Children with autism who meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria
Children seeking a Special School or Special Class placement
Students, enrolled in schools, with a significant medical condition, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school
Students, enrolled in schools, with school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school
Under category 4 above, a psychologist’s or psychiatrist’s report from the previous six months is required to make sure the information about the child’s mental health is up to date. Issues such as school reluctance and school avoidance behaviour/school phobia, anxiety and depression can change over time, especially when a child is receiving support or treatment.
Requiring a report dated within the previous six months does not represent a change in policy for processing Home Tuition applications. Special Education has always required up-to-date and recent documentation when processing Home Tuition applications under this category. This year, we highlighted the requirement for a report within the previous six months on the HTMED1 application form. This was not a policy change, but rather an effort to clearly communicate to parents exactly what documentation is required when submitting an application.
A recent report allows decision-makers to:
• Confirm that the diagnosis is current and clinically relevant, rather than historical
• Assess how their anxiety or school phobia is affecting school attendance right now
• Verify what supports or therapy are currently in place
• Evaluate whether home tuition is still needed at this time
• Ensure home tuition can help as part of a plan to gradually return to school when your child is ready
Having a recent report helps ensure that decisions are made based on the child’s current needs, and that any support provided is appropriate, helpful, and focused on the child’s long-term wellbeing and mental health and return to school.
My department recognises that it is not always possible for families to provide a psychologist’s or psychiatrist’s report from within the previous six months, and a flexible and understanding approach is taken when considering such cases.
Where recent reports are not available, officers will carefully review a range of relevant information to understand the child’s current circumstances. This may include evidence of engagement with the school and mental health services, reports or input from relevant support agencies (such as the school, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) through the Education Welfare Officer (EWO), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), TUSLA – Child and Family Agency, the HSE, or the NCSE), as well as the child’s current attendance levels and attendance in the previous school year.
All information provided is used to help determine what is most appropriate for the child at the time the application is made.
However, it is important to note that home tuition cannot be granted on an ongoing or indefinite basis without a psychologist’s or psychiatrist’s report that clearly confirms a diagnosis of school phobia and/or associated anxiety or depression. Up-to-date professional guidance is necessary to ensure that home tuition remains a temporary support, focused on meeting the child’s needs while working towards their return to school.
