Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1054: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been denied special needs assistance because their diagnosis is PDD-NOS rather than autism; the reason for this decision in view of the fact that PDD-NOS is recognised as being within the range of autistic spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11205/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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6153The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides a grant 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 an educational placement and to provide early intervention for pre-school children with autism.

Home tuition was not sanctioned as the application did not meet the criteria under the terms of the home tuition scheme. I understand that the parent has recently provided additional information to my Department in support of the application. This will now be considered and a decision will be conveyed to the parent as soon as this process has been completed.