The Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and for early intervention for children with autism.
As always, the preferred approach is that, where possible, children with special educational needs are educated in school settings where they may have access to individualised education programmes, fully-qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants, the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with other pupils. The purpose of the home tuition scheme is not to provide individual education to pupils. This may occur as a by-product of the fact that many pupils qualifying for home tuition are individual pupils who require tuition, while awaiting a school placement, or who are out of school for a number of reasons. However the purpose of the scheme is to provide a compensatory education, until such time as the child can attend school. In such circumstances it is appropriate that the school grouping principle should be applied. Under the terms of the Home Tuition scheme, allocations to siblings are reflective of the school grouping principle. The pupil teacher ratio in school settings can result in one teacher being allocated to a class of six pupils with children of mixed age and ability at the appropriate educational level, primary or post primary. Accordingly, it is considered appropriate, as in a school situation, that a tutor can provide tuition at the appropriate educational level to more than one sibling at that level simultaneously in the home. However, in recognition of the differing needs of some siblings, separate allocations can be considered on a case by case basis. Applications in this regard will require supporting documentation including professional reports from a psychologist or a letter from the principal of the school detailing the existing arrangements currently in place for the respective children and providing sound reasons why they cannot be tutored together in the home. In relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, a combined allocation has been made for the children in question, in accordance with the policy set out above. The children's parents have been advised of the allocation decision in relation to this application.
