Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department will not agree to the request of persons (details supplied) in County Mayo for home tuition for their child. [18222/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to educate a child (details supplied) in County Mayo with special needs. [18223/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will reimburse persons (details supplied) in County Mayo for expenses incurred in providing private tuition. [18224/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 182, inclusive, together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the home tuition scheme provides funding 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 an educational placement. As there is an educational placement available to the pupil she does not qualify for tuition under the terms of the scheme.

As the Deputy is aware a specific function of the National Council Special Education, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is to identify appropriate educational placements for all children with special educational needs. The SENO is a focal point of contact for parents and school and is available to parents to provide support and advice. I understand from my officials that the SENO is currently liaising with the parents to progress the post primary options available to the pupil in question.