Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he will not issue payment in respect of home tuition hours for the period from 7 February 2011 to 23 March 2011 stating that seven hours per week had been sanctioned starting on 7 February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27353/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that 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.

Parents engage tutors directly and the grant is paid to the parent on a monthly basis in arrears. In such instances the payment is made to the parent, who is then responsible for payment to their selected tutor. This affords a degree of flexibility and choice for parents in selecting the most suitable tutor for the purposes of home tuition for their children.

The position in relation to the case referred to by the Deputy is that the parent received the payment of the educational grant in advance for the approved period from the 7th February 2011 to the 3rd June 2011. However, the tuition provided only started in the week commencing the 28th March 2011, resulting in an over-issue of €527.25.

The parent received written notification to refund this amount to my Department, on two occasions, in accordance with the terms of this Scheme.