Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (920)

Mark Ward

Question:

920. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the options open to the parents of a child (detailed supplied) who was excluded from mainstream secondary school in 2019 and has not had any school since despite having an ASD diagnosis. [18196/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.

In circumstances where no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, the Department can provide home tuition grant funding towards the provision of 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.

I can confirm that in the specific case referenced by the Deputy, 20 hours home tuition per week has been approved.

I have asked my officials to liaise with the NCSE and arrange for a response on the specific circumstances of this case to issue directly to the Deputy.