Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am not even sure if a correspondence course would be acceptable. It sets out that it must be an official certificate or diploma course ratified by a university, college or organisation. A short course or certificate is not acceptable.

We should remember that the home tuition scheme has been working for many years and people have had no difficulty in getting locally based people who are qualified. I do not envisage that parents should have any difficulty in respect of it. It is my aim to ensure the needs of children on the autistic spectrum throughout the country are met as far as possible within the mainstream school.

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