Special Educational Needs.

Thursday, 10 July 2008

Questions (730)

Brian Hayes

Question:

725 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children that will be considered eligible for the July home tuition scheme in 2008; the number of children who have been provided tuition under the same scheme during the years 2000 to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28973/08]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism who choose to extend their education services through the month of July. My Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Where school based provision is not feasible, home based provision may be grant aided.

Total number of pupils receiving home based July Provision:

Year	Number of children
2002	116
2003	307
2004	633
2005	933
2006	1,442
2007	1,650
2008	1,500*

Total number of schools participating in July Provision:

Year	Number of schools
2001	21
2002	41
2003	50
2004	55
2005	64
2006	65
2007	78
2008	102*

*The 2008 figures are not yet finalised so will be subject to change.