Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
43. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give consideration to amending the home tuition grant for children with autism attending preschool when there is an option so that 20 hours of 1:1 tuition can be allocated 11.25 hours of 1:1 tuition and 13.75 hours of group tuition per week. [25642/13]
View answerI understand Deputy O'Brien is otherwise engaged and I welcome Deputy Ó Snodaigh in his place.
The home tuition scheme provides a grant to parents to facilitate the provision of education at home for children who, for specified reasons, are unable to attend school or for whom a school placement or preschool placement is not available. It is generally the case that the tuition is provided at the child's home. However, in the event that parents of children who are eligible for home tuition request the Department to consider a proposal for tuition to be provided in a group setting offered by a private provider, the Department considers any such proposal. At the request of parents of eligible children, officials in the Department are considering a proposal from a preschool to provide tuition on both a group and individual basis. Consideration of this proposal is at an advanced stage. I anticipate a positive outcome in the near future.
I hope the Minister was referring to the PALS preschool because the parents are very concerned they will end up having to repay some of the tuition fees they received which covered the hours their children were in the preschool, some of which were in a group setting which was vital for the children to learn social interaction. If the rules are too strictly applied, as has been suggested, the parents will suffer the consequences. I welcome this news and I hope the Minister will be able to announce a positive change in the very near future on this issue.
I thank the Deputy for his supplementary question. I can confirm the proposal is with regard to the PALS preschool group in Blanchardstown. Discussions have taken place on remuneration and allocation of fees and I am happy to tell the House and Deputy a fee structure has been proposed by the provider and it is acceptable to the Department, and letters to this effect will issue to all concerned.
