Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
61. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the current home tuition being given to a child (details supplied) in County Cork which expires on 15 November; and if it may be extended into the future. [43247/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the application to which he refers is currently being considered by my officials and a decision will issue before the mid-term break. Under the terms of the Home Tuition scheme, children who have a diagnosis of autism in accordance with the prescribed criteria and who are aged between 2.5 years and 3 years qualify for 10 hours home tuition as they cannot enrol in a school. Children with special educational needs awaiting an educational placement may, as in interim measure, avail of home tuition until a school placement has been identified. This includes children aged from 3 years upwards who cannot access a place in an autism setting which can include an early intervention class. Home Tuition funding is only provided for children aged between 3 and 4 years of age with a diagnosis of autism where a placement in an early intervention setting is not available.
