Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the home tuition programme will continue in July 2012, and if not, if he will specify the way in which it will be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17315/12]

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 for 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 including eligible pre-school children with an autistic spectrum disorder. Separately my Department provides for the July Education Programme that is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that 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.

Children in receipt of home tuition who are eligible for an extended school year have their allocation extended for four weeks in July. This cohort includes eligible pre-school children with an autism spectrum disorder. Letters extending home tuition for July 2012 issued to parents of eligible children earlier this week.