Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2023
80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education how a parent goes about filling home tuition hours when a student cannot get a place in their local school; if there is a database of retired teachers who offer this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41740/23]
View answerMy Department's 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. For example, circular 0024/2023 provides information in relation to the 2023/2024 Home Tuition Grant Scheme for children with special educational needs or with a significant medical condition or school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety. This circular can be accessed by clicking on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/67f37-home-tuition-grant-scheme-20232024-special-education-component/.
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.
It is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to source a tutor at the earliest possible opportunity to allow for applications for registration/vetting to be made by the tutor to the Teaching Council, if necessary. This Department does not keep lists of tutors available to carry out home tuition. It may be helpful for parents to contact local schools in the first instance. Alternatively, the Department is aware that many parents use education provider websites to advertise for tutors or indeed place advertisements in local newspapers or on shop/community notice boards. Additionally, to help parents source a suitable home tutor for this scheme in their local area, the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) has created a Home Tuition Noticeboard for Parents. This noticeboard is available on www.educationposts.ie.
