Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2017
323. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 393 of 3 October 2017, if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if a reply will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48004/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI contacted my colleague in the Department of Education and Skills who informed me that the Department of Education does not provide funding to pre-school services other than in early intervention classes in recognised primary schools or special schools. Supports for childcare, including pre-school education, are provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Early intervention classes are available for children aged 3-5 with a diagnosis of ASD. Early intervention classes are intended to provide early support for children with ASD before they start school. Where such a placement is not available home tuition can be provided.
In order to access an early intervention class, children aged between 3 and 4 years of age must have an ASD diagnosis and children over 4 years of age (who will not reach the age of 6 during the school year) must have a recommendation from a relevant professional for an early intervention placement. Following early intervention, children will attend a mainstream class unless there is professional guidance that they require a special class or a placement in a special school. The enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents/guardians of the child and the Board of Management of a school.
Parents/Guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available on the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) website. The SENO can also advise parents in relation to supports which may be available to support children with special educational needs, including special transport arrangements which may be made available.
The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children with Special Educational Needs who are seeking an educational placement, either in a special school, a special class, including an early intervention class within a mainstream school, or a mainstream class in a mainstream school, with additional resources allocated by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
In the event that no placement is available, home tuition can only be provided until such a placement becomes available. Home tuition is provided as an interim provision only and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a place in school. Details of the Scheme are available at https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Home-Tuition/.
Furthermore, I note your concerns regarding the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) and I have forwarded these to my colleagues in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs who are the Department responsible for AIM. I know that they will be happy to address the points you have raised.
