Vol. 515 No. 5
109 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will examine the situation of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 with learning difficulties and agree to pay the £150 charge for an assessment; the way in which this will be arranged; and the date in this regard. [6527/00]
My Department does not operate any scheme under which financial assistance is available towards the charge for the assessment in question. I understand, however, from inquiries made by my Department in relation to this case, that an offer to cover the cost of the assessment has been made by a local body.
110 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who is attending primary school and undergoing medical treatment, was not approved for home tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6536/00]
The home tuition scheme is intended to provide instruction for pupils with serious medical ailments which cause major disruption to their attendance at school on a continuing basis.
Home tuition is sanctioned where a child cannot attend school at all or where the child is absent for a significant proportion of the school year due to illness.
Home tuition was sanctioned for the pupil in question in the 1998-99 school year because of her significant period of absence during the previous school year.
An application for home tuition for the child in question in respect of the 1999-2000 school year was considered by my Department. However, an allocation of tuition was not considered warranted on this occasion as the child had a good attendance record during the course of the 1998-99 school year and was progressing satisfactorily.
In view of the new information supplied by the Deputy in relation to the child's current situation, I have instructed my officials to restore home tuition, as appropriate, to this child.
