Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
295. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason support for home tuition has been withdrawn in the case of a person (details supplied); his plans ensure the restoration of support for home tuition in this case in which specialist assistance is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43775/18]
View answerMy Department's policy is focused on ensuring that all children, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary network.
Children in ASD special classes benefit from a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1. Class teachers are fully qualified and have access, through the Special Education Support Service, to training in a range of autism-specific interventions. Each class has a minimum of 2 Special Needs Assistants.
As each child with autism is unique they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes which can be supported by Special Needs Assistants and fully qualified professional teachers who may draw from a range of autism-specific interventions, including Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Treatment and Education of Autistic Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) and Picture Exchange Communications System (PECS) as well as the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible, of full or partial integration and interaction with other pupils.
The purpose of the Special Education Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement.
Accordingly, Home Tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not available and only until a placement becomes available. Home Tuition should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.
No application has been received for 2018/19 school year under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme in respect of the child referred to by the Deputy.
