David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 4: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the recent changes in acceptable qualifications for home tuition providers as listed in appendix A of the home tuition application form; the reason for his Department's preference for a fully qualified teacher as opposed to psychology graduates, registered mental health nurses and persons holding autism-related qualifications given that the majority of children who require home tuition have autism or other forms of intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26881/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The list of acceptable qualifications for home tuition providers has not been changed. The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for preschool children with autism. The home-based July provision scheme provides funding for an extended school year for children with autism or a severe or profound general learning disability. The scheme is intended to provide education appropriate to the child's educational needs.

The Deputy will also appreciate that as home tuition takes place outside of the normal school framework, there is need to ensure that tuition providers are qualified to give education to the children concerned. It is reasonable to expect that a person, providing an education to a child in the child's home outside of the normal school structure, is fully qualified.

Some parents had advised of difficulties in sourcing fully qualified teachers. The Department therefore has allowed for other qualifications. However, the guidelines to the scheme have in recent years advised of my Department's preference for a fully qualified teacher. In this school year, the home tuition, and more recently the July provision, application forms were amended in format and additional text was added to clearly state the Department's preference for a fully qualified teacher.

I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department has continued to sanction alternative tuition providers where parents have shown that they were unable to source a fully qualified teacher.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister of State suggesting that a person recently qualified from teacher training college with a BEd is more qualified to teach a preschool child who may be non-verbal and autistic than somebody with a diploma or degree in early child care studies who might be a qualified social worker with qualification in PECS, ABA, early childhood studies, Lámh and perhaps child protection? I draw the attention of the Minister of State to a letter sent in respect of such a person who is not a qualified person but who has eight years' experience. The letter pointed out that this tutor would not be eligible to deliver the tuition next year. Appendix A to the home-based July provision been changed. In the past it was "either-or" and now no preference is given. A person with a qualification in autism only is now not allowed to teach and will not be allowed to teach in the future. Would the Minister of State not agree that is a backward step and that children will suffer?

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not concede it is a backward step. The Department awards approximately €36,000 for home tuition. While I do not suggest we should count the cost in money terms, it underlines the commitment. The inspectorate made recommendations on foot of the fact that people with few qualifications were engaged in home teaching. Some exceptions were made in cases when parents have been unable to get a qualified teacher. I do not want to read out the full list but it is important to recognise its existence. In some instances people have suggested that a qualified nurse or psychologist might be suitable. The reality remains that the benchmark here is for a qualified teacher. I do not believe it is a backward step. It is in keeping with the demands of the inspectorate and more importantly it is in the best interests of the children concerned.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are some preschool children who are non-verbal and not toilet trained. Would the Minister of State not agree that these people need special help from people who are experienced and have the training appropriate to their needs? The recent changes will result in the appointment of only people with a teacher qualification. Such people might have a BEd only and no experience of or qualifications in autism, which appears to be acceptable to the Department. However, another person with relevant experience and qualifications is not accepted. I ask the Minister of State to review this with a view to allowing the flexibility required in order to provide children of that age with the best possible support and the tutoring they require.

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I accept the Deputy's genuine concern. However, I must remind him why this change was brought about. Before the inspectorate made its recommendations there was a list of people providing tuition, including people without a leaving certificate or post-school qualifications and who had not previously worked in a school. It is a big forward step to insist that people with the minimum qualifications as a qualified teacher should in the first instance be the people to provide that tuition. I accept there may be occasional circumstances in which the parents might have involved a psychologist or someone from another area of expertise. However, those are the exceptions. I must hold the line given that 130 people are providing tuition without qualification, which concerns me.