Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
197. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the reason a pre-school (details supplied) is experiencing significant delays in receiving payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8712/24]
View answer218. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education regarding the current funding crisis threatening a preschool for autistic children (details supplied), if she will ensure that her Department responsible for processing the payments processes them promptly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8953/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 218 together.
The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. The terms of this scheme are set out in circular 24/2023 which is available at: www.gov.ie/en/circular/67f37-home-tuition-grant-scheme-20232024-special-education-component/
Payments to group providers of home tuition, such as the facility concerned, are made directly to the provider on a monthly basis in arrears in accordance with my Department’s policy in this regard. Claim forms are to be submitted to my Department at the end of the month in which tuition has been provided and every effort is made to process these claims as soon as possible after the claim form is received from the facility. However, delays may be experienced from time to time if forms are incomplete or not submitted promptly by the provider. I can assure the deputies that every effort is being made to keep any delays to a minimum. The claim submitted by the facility in question in respect of home tuition for December 2023 has been fully processed and paid. The claim for January 2024 was received on February 8th 2024. This will be processed within the standard timeframe for the processing of correctly completed claim forms which is four to five weeks from the date of receipt.
