Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
214 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure funding cuts are not applied to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 for their July provision from three weeks to two weeks. [27255/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to clarify that there have been no cuts made to the allocation for July Provision within my Department's budget. Therefore, any decision by an individual school to reduce the level of July Provision offered is a matter for each school. Any such decision has not been brought about by reductions in the level of available resources by the Department of Education and Skills.
The Deputy will be aware that participation in the scheme is an option for all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism or severe to profound general learning disability that choose to extend their education services through the month of July. Home based tuition of 10 hours per week for the four weeks is provided to children who attend schools that choose not to participate in the scheme. Schools can decide to participate for part of the month of July and accordingly the children in question are allocated home based tuition for the remaining period. My Department's preference is that the home based tuition is undertaken by a fully qualified teacher. However where parents have difficulties in sourcing fully qualified teachers my Department accepts some tutors with alternative qualifications and modifies the rate of payment accordingly.
