Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of home tuition in July 2008 for children attending a special needs school (details supplied) in County Cork. [14812/08]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will ensure that 20 hours July provision of home tuition per week is made available to all children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14874/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 432 together.

The July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism who choose to extend their education services through the month of July. My Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Where school based provision is not feasible, home based provision may be grant aided.

My Department encourages all eligible schools to participate in this initiative in the interest of the children in question. There has been a steady increase in the number of schools offering the programme since it was introduced in 2001 when relevant schools were circulated with details.

My Department's qualification preference is for a fully qualified teacher. Where parents cannot recruit a fully qualified teacher, then certain alternative qualifications are acceptable including particular montessori qualifications and details in this regard are published on my Department's web site.