Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will receive the July provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30058/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 July 2018
Ceisteanna (207)
Freagraí scríofa
The Purpose of July Provision Programme Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards an extended school year for children with a severe or profound general learning disability or children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Where eligible students cannot be accommodated in a school based programme, funding may be provided towards the provision of 40 hours home based tuition. As home based tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that the educational programme provided generally reflects that which would be provided in a school environment.
It is appropriate therefore that the qualification standard for home based tuition generally reflects that required in a school environment. Accordingly, it is a condition of the scheme that parents/guardians must recruit a tutor who is qualified in the relevant sector, and is registered with the Teaching Council, similar to the requirement for teachers in schools.
Where all efforts have failed to secure the services of a teacher qualified to teach in the sector concerned, the Department may consider the engagement of a person who is registered with the Teaching Council and has a primary degree (minimum Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in a relevant area.
It is also a requirement of the scheme that all tutors must be vetted prior to commencing the delivery of tuition. Parents are required to satisfy themselves that tutors have been vetted by the Teaching Council of Ireland 2016 via the Teaching Council’s online vetting process.
The terms and conditions of the July Provision Grant Scheme 2018 is set out in the Department's Information Note on the scheme which was published with the application forms on 11 April 2018 and is available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.
Parents engage tutors for the provision of home based tuition in a private arrangement. It is the responsibility of the parent to source a tutor at the earliest possible opportunity to allow for applications for registration/vetting to be made by the tutor to the Teaching Council, if necessary.
The application for the July Provision Grant referred to by the Deputy cannot be approved until the Parent sources a tutor that is registered and vetted by the Teaching Council of Ireland.