Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount which has been awarded to parents of autistic children who are receiving the home tuition grant to date; if she will report on the system in place to verify that home tuition is taking place and to vouch for the suitability of the person providing home tuition to children who are autistic; the maximum amount payable per child per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8548/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the total amount that has been awarded to parents of autistic children in receipt of home tuition grants is not readily available in my Department. I can confirm, however, that home tuition ranging from five to 20 hours per week for children with autistic spectrum disorders, ASD, may be sanctioned, depending on the basis of the application in each case. The greater number of hours are generally sanctioned for those children with ASD who are of pre-school age or who have not yet secured a suitable placement in school.

Home tuition grants are sanctioned to the parents or guardian of the relevant child and my Department requests that fully qualified teachers are used to provide the tuition. Responsibility for sourcing the teacher rests with the parents or guardian who must satisfy themselves as to their suitability to provide the relevant tuition. Grants are paid retrospectively on receipt of fully completed and signed claim forms confirming the hours that were provided and signed by both the parent or guardian and the relevant teacher.