Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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234. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions No. 223 and 230 of 28 May 2013, the assistance his Department will provide to parents unable to find tutors that will work alone with a number of children with a severe or profound learning disability, there are parents unable to fund tutors due to the challenging environment they would be working in when in previous years there was one-on-one tutoring for such children. [27310/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to again advise the Deputy that the policy in relation to siblings has not changed. Rather the application process in previous years may have in some instances failed to identify adequately multiple applications for siblings.

My Department's Information Note for Home Based July Provision notes that allocations to siblings are reflective of the school grouping principle. This is where one teacher is allocated to a class of six pupils at the appropriate educational level, primary or post primary. Accordingly it is considered appropriate, as in a school situation, that a tutor can provide tuition at the appropriate educational level to more than one sibling at that level simultaneously in the home. The Departments website and information material is being amended to further clarify the position.

The school grouping principle does not purport to replicate or mirror all aspects of school based provision. The age or ability of siblings is reflected in their education level as determined by education and health professionals. In general where a child is receiving their education in a class setting with other children of mixed age and ability, this should carry through to their July Provision.

Parents who are experiencing difficulties in sourcing a fully qualified teacher are advised to contact the officials dealing with their allocation as tutors with alternative qualifications and experience may be accepted in some instances.