Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
370. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the reason that only five hours have been allocated for home tuition to a child (details supplied) when that child, who was diagnosed with autism/ASD in August 2020, has educational challenges attending school; if consideration would be given to granting additional hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40466/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question. The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school as follows:
a) Early educational intervention for children with autism who meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria
b) Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognised school
c) Students, enrolled in schools, with a significant medical condition, or school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school
In exceptional cases my Department will consider home tuition applications on behalf of students with on behalf of students with a significant medical condition or a diagnoses of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school.
This exception will only apply where a continued absence from school is required to facilitate appropriate medical or therapeutic intervention with a view to the reintegration of the student in their school.
Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances.
As a general guide, up to 5 hours may be granted to children at primary level while students at post primary level may be granted between 2 and 10 hours.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the Home Tuition grant was awarded on medical grounds (i.e. that the child in question had a medical condition which specifically caused and continues to cause a major disruption to attendance at their enrolled school). On this basis, my Department has sanctioned the maximum number of hours per week (i.e. 5) which can be granted to a child at primary level.
