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. Retrospective funding is not a feature of the scheme and approval can only be given when the necessary documentation is submitted with the application form for processing by my officials. An appeal for retrospective funding in the case referred to by the Deputy was received in the Special Education Section of my Department on 28th April 2014. The appeal is currently under consideration and a response will issue to the parents concerned in due course.