Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Ceisteanna (500)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

500. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of incidences whereby parents of children with Down syndrome and-or individual schools were contacted by his Department to issue a warning of possible legal action and-or possible recoupment as a result of funding via the July provision scheme having been sanctioned and provided for a child with the condition previously only for his Department to later determine that the child was in fact ineligible for same as per existing criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27269/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's July Education Programme (or July Provision Grant Scheme) provides funding towards an extended school year for children with a severe or profound general learning disability and/or children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) enrolled in recognised schools.

My Department has not changed the qualifying criteria for access to the July Provision scheme and has not issued any warning of possible legal action or possible recoupment in respect of any application where a child was eligible under the terms of the scheme.  

Where an application for July Provision is made in respect of a child who is not eligible for such provision the application will be refused. Where an application is approved, based on information provided on the application form which subsequently proves to be inaccurate to a material degree, my Department may consider seeking recoupment of the grant paid.