Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2014
241. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is his Department's policy that all children on the autism spectrum who qualify for home tuition should, instead of availing of the home tuition scheme, be attending a nominated specialist preschool from the age of three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29237/14]
View answerMy Department's policy in this regard has not changed.
Home tuition is intended as an interim provision only for children with a special educational need for whom a school placement is not available and is not intended to be regarded as an optional alternative to school.
Home tuition is provided to children with autism aged between 2 ½ and 3 years of age as they cannot enrol in a school until they reach the age of three.
Parents can choose to enrol children with autism in an early intervention class from the age of three and where such a placement is not available home tuition is approved. Children with autism over the age of four may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.
The annual circular for the 2014/2015 Home Tuition Scheme (048/2014) is available on www.education.ie and provides detailed information on the purpose of the scheme including the eligibility criteria.
