Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2019
119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17899/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of my Department’s Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for students enrolled in school, with a significant medical condition which has, and is likely to cause, major disruption to their attendance in school on a continuing basis.
Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances.
As tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that home tutors are qualified to provide an educational programme. Accordingly, it is a condition of the scheme that parents/legal guardians recruit a tutor who is qualified in the sector in which tuition is being provided, and is registered with the Teaching Council for the duration of the approved tuition, up to and including issue of final payment.
When a child is deemed eligible for home tuition, a sanction letter issues to the parents/legal guardians, which include the name(s) of the approved tutor(s), sanctioned start and finish dates for the tutor and grant rate per hour. Approval dates for tutors may be contingent on a number of factors including conditions attached to their Teaching Council registration.
The Scheme provides for an appeal process regarding decisions made in the allocation of Home Tuition support. Appeals may be submitted in writing to my Department’s Special Education Section outlining the reasons for the appeal, along with supporting documents or reports, as appropriate.
The parent referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal to my Department in recent days. My officials will consider the appeal and contact the parent directly in due course.
