Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My colleague, Deputy Micheál Martin, raised last night the issue of the "Prime Time" programme on the twins in the Milne-Bolger family. The family's horrific experience is shared right across the country. We have all heard such stories many times. The family spoke about home tuition and Deputy Martin spoke specifically about that case. Notwithstanding the fact that home tuition numbers have increased, which really means an increase in the number of children who cannot get a place in school, I understand there are considerable delays within the Department in dealing with applications for home tuition grants. Many children are idle at the moment because they do not have teachers. The teachers who provide home tuition are losing patience and are not willing to continue to provide the service if the Department continues with the delays. It is the ultimate insult to the children with special needs. Those who cannot find a place in school are suffering from further delays because the Department will not deal with the home tuition applications.

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