John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an application for home tuition in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28535/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The home tuition scheme is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils who have a medical ailment that is likely to cause major disruption to their attendance at school. In this context, my Department provides home tuition grants in respect of pupils who cannot attend school at all, or who are absent for a significant proportion of the school year. My Department also sanctions home tuition in cases where children are awaiting a suitable school placement.

I can confirm that the pupil in question is enrolled in an educational facility in County Kilkenny, with appropriate supports. He was in attendance at the facility for almost 80% of the last school year and would therefore not be entitled to additional support. It is open to the pupil's family to apply to my Department for a home tuition grant should the pupil be absent from the facility for significant periods in the future. Any such application will be considered in the context of the pupil's school attendance at that point.