I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 to 197, inclusive, together.
As previously outlined, parents of children who are eligible for home tuition who sought alternative arrangements to be put in place for the tuition were facilitated and arrangements were put in place with private commercial organisations which provide group tuition to children in a class type setting. Payment in these cases is made directly to the service provider and is calculated on a group rate basis. However such arrangements are not a feature of the scheme and therefore not referenced in the annual Home Tuition Circular.
Where parents of children who are eligible for home tuition have sought alternative arrangements my Department has responded. I wish to clarify for the Deputy that my Department is not aware of other groups of parents having come to the attention of my Department over five years ago in relation to group arrangements for home tuition. There are now arrangements in place with 6 private commercial organisations which provide group tuition in a class type setting for children for whom home tuition has been approved.
The Home Tuition Scheme does not have a separate statutory basis and is not an alternative to school. It is provided for children with a special educational need seeking an educational placement, as an interim measure, until a school placement has been identified. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is available to assist parents experiencing difficulties in this regard. The arrangements in place with private providers are clear that where school placements are found for participating children the providers will support the child's integration into the school setting.