July Provision is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that choose to extend their education services through the month of July. My Department also provides July Provision for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Where school based provision is not feasible, home based provision may be grant aided.
As the home based provision takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that home tutors are qualified to provide an educational programme. It is appropriate therefore that the qualification standard in the Home Based July Provision generally reflects that required in a school environment.
The qualification requirements for tutors providing tuition under the Home Based July Provision have not changed. It remains the case that home tutors should be fully qualified teachers. When it is not possible to recruit a fully qualified teacher then alternative appropriate third level qualifications may be acceptable.
However, since September 2013 for the Home Tuition Scheme and from this year for Home Based July Provision, my Department has also required that, in addition to being qualified teachers, tutors must be registered or have applied for registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland. Tutors with acceptable third level qualifications will be eligible to apply for registration.
Accordingly, those whose qualifications were acceptable in the past remain eligible, provided they have applied for registration with the Teaching Council. In the light of this I see no basis for a reduction in the qualification requirements for tutors.
