Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to relax the rules regarding home tutors for pre-school children with autism; the reason for the need for a tutor working with pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder to have primary teaching qualifications; and if she plans to set up an applied behaviour analysis course here which could be done by tutors, unlike at present where the only ABA course is a post-graduate course in Trinity College. [13702/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to facilitate the provision of 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 pre-school children with autism. A review in 2006 of a number of applications for home tuition highlighted some cause for concern regarding the qualifications of proposed tuition providers. Following the review of qualifications, which took place in consultation with my Department's Inspectorate, an extended list of qualifications acceptable under the scheme has been published. This list is available on my Department's website. Aside from recognised teaching qualifications such as the Bachelor in Education and approved Montessori training, the list includes certain qualifications in autism and in applied approaches to teaching children with autism, such as ABA, PECS and TEACCH. Third level qualifications in relevant areas such as psychology may also be appropriate depending on circumstances. I have requested the Special Education Support Service to put in place courses for teachers in the wide range of educational interventions available to meet the needs of children in their classes. To this end I am committed to ensuring that all teachers of children with autism will be enabled to implement a combined skills approach, including ABA, to meeting their learning and teaching needs.