The home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement including preschool children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who are eligible, subject to criteria, from 2.5 years of age. Application forms are available from the Special Education Section of my Department in Athlone, Co Westmeath and parents will shortly be able to download these forms from my Department's website.