The terms of the Home Tuition scheme have been clearly set out in annual circulars since the commencement of the scheme. As I have advised in the past the arrangements were approved by my Department in response to requests from some parents of children who were eligible under the terms of the scheme for Home Tuition but who were seeking these arrangements as an alternative. Where parents of children, who are eligible for Home Tuition under the terms of the scheme, seek access to alternative arrangements and where such arrangements are available to the parents/guardians and eligible children, my Department has responded and will continue to respond to such requests with consideration and sympathy and with whatever flexibility can be applied. Approval of these arrangements was exclusively for children who were eligible under the terms of the scheme and constituted a flexible and compassionate approach which was equitable, reasonable and fair. These arrangements were not available for children who were not eligible under the terms of the scheme. It is entirely appropriate that where Monies provided for Home Tuition, which would ordinarily have issued to parents but which now, at the request of parents issue to a private provider in line with these arrangements, should be referred to as Home Tuition funding and where appropriate this would be reflected in associated correspondence. As previously advised there are now arrangements in place with 6 private pre – school providers which provide group tuition to children in a class type setting for children for home tuition has been approved. In recent times there has been stronger demand from parents/guardians of children for whom home tuition has been approved to be accommodated in this regard and during this school year my Department commenced advising parents of the option to enter into a group arrangement with other parents of children for whom home tuition has been approved. However parents wishing to enter into such an arrangement must notify my Department in advance for approval.