I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 213, inclusive, together.
My Departments Home Tuition Grant Schemes provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.
The Home Tuition Grant Schemes are governed by annual circulars which sets out the purpose, eligibility criteria and details of the scheme. Circular 0046/2022 provides information in relation to the 2022/2023 Home Tuition Grant Scheme and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/22b2a-home-tuition-grant-scheme-20222023-special-education-component/
As the Scheme is an educational service it is based on the school year. Therefore the periods which are covered for tuition and payment purposes reflect the school terms and do not include school holidays, bank holidays and weekends. This does not preclude tutors from securing similar work outside of the school calendar, such as providing tuition for other schemes such as the summer program.
For children and students who qualify under the Home Tuition Grant Schemes, sanction is given to approve a grant towards the engagement of a tutor who will provide home tuition for the child/student in question. Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardian of the child who is to receive tuition and the tutor has no contractual relationship with the Department of Education.
In accordance with instructions from the Revenue Commissioners, payments under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme are subject to statutory deductions at source. In order to facilitate parents, my Department acts solely as payroll agents on behalf of the parents/guardian. The Department of Social Protection has determined that Home Tutors are engaged under a contract for service and are therefore self-employed and subject to PRSI Class S.
As outlined in Circular 0046/2022 tutor should ensure that they are fully aware of how the grant will issue under this scheme before any tuition is provided. A separate, detailed payment information note on which includes information on conditions of the scheme, rates and deductions can be accessed by clicking on the following link: www.gov.ie/pdf/234505/?page=null
This note informs tutors that Home Tuition Grant Scheme only pays for actual tuition provided. It does not provide payment in respect of Travel costs incurred, expenses, tuition offered but not availed of by the student, sick pay, holiday pay and any period in which tuition is not pre-approved.
As tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that home tutors are qualified to provide an educational programme. Accordingly, it is a condition of the scheme that parents/legal guardians recruit a tutor who is qualified in the sector in which tuition is being provided, and is registered with the Teaching Council for the duration of the approved tuition, up to and including issue of final payment. Where all efforts have failed to secure the services of a teacher qualified to teach in the sector concerned, the Department may consider the engagement of a person who is registered with the Teaching Council and has a primary degree (minimum Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in a relevant area, e.g. Psychology.
The scheme is governed by annual Circulars, which are released during the summer each year. The circular is examined each year prior to its release, with work on the 2023/2024 Home Tuition scheme due to commence early next year.