Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2016
171. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate the situation whereby a person (details supplied) who assisted a child who was availing of the home tuition scheme was not paid. [36860/16]
View answerThe 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, for children with special educational needs awaiting a suitable educational placement and for early intervention for children with autism.
Parents engage tutors directly and prior to September 2015 parents received their grant directly either on a monthly basis in arrears or where possible in advance to assist them cover the cost of engaging a tutor. It is then the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to transfer the fees received to the tutor.
The case which the Deputy refers relates to the period January to March 2015 and my Department issued payment to the parent in question on the 19th May 2015 upon receipt of a payment claim form in accordance with the published terms of the then Home Tuition Scheme.
An allegation of non payment was received by my Department from the approved tutor and the approved tutor has been in regular contact with officials from my Department.
My Department does not intervene in the private payment arrangements between home tutors and the parents who engages them in relation to the payment of fees owed by the parents to the home tutors.
