Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 regarding tuition and supports. [5521/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide 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 preschool children with autism. I have arranged for an application form to be forwarded to the parents in question.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.