Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 203: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the pilot scheme of one extra month of schooling in the summer for children with autism will be rotated to random schools with an interest in the project; the reason a school (details supplied) in County Cork was unsuccessful with their application for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9195/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be aware that participation in my Department's July Provision Scheme is an option for all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism or severe to profound general learning disability that choose to extend their education services through the month July. Home based tuition of 10 hours per week for the four weeks in question is provided to children who attend schools which choose not to participate in the scheme.

The Deputy will also be aware that educational provision at post primary level for all pupils including those with special needs is structured differently to that at primary level and the July Provision Scheme was piloted in a limited number of post primary schools. However children eligible for support attending other post primary schools are allocated 10 hours per week home based tuition for the four weeks of July.

The Scheme is currently under review and in the interim it has been decided not to expand the current level of provision which includes limiting the pilot at post primary level to that of 2009 and 2010.

As the college referred to by the Deputy is not one of the schools piloting the programme, eligible children attending the college would be entitled to home based support. Details of the scheme for 2011 will be circulated to all schools including the college in question early next term.