Written answers

Thursday, 18 July 2013

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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216. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify where siblings are allocated home based July tuition for children with autism or severe to profound intellectual disabilities, if they will receive 25 hours tuition per week in line with school based provision; the maximum number of siblings that will be required to share home tuition; if there will be an account taken of a significant difference in age or ability when allocating hours for siblings; his Department's response if a family is unable to find the tutor to committing to providing the hours; the advice his Department sought on this change of policy; if there is a policy document underpinning these changes compared to practise in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36088/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the July Education Programme 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. Where school based provision is not feasible, home based provision may be grant aided.

The allocation of home based provision to siblings for July Provision is 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 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.

However in recognition of the differing needs of some siblings, separate allocations are considered on a case by case basis. Applications in this regard require supporting documentation including professional reports from a psychologist or a letter from the principal of the school detailing the existing arrangements currently in place for the respective children and providing reasons why they cannot be tutored together in the home. Therefore there is no maximum number of siblings that will be required to share home based tuition.

Parents who are experiencing difficulties in sourcing a fully qualified teacher have been advised to contact the officials dealing with their allocation as tutors with alternative qualifications and experience may be accepted in some instances, as has been the practice in previous years. Although the timeframe is short my officials have endeavoured to process any appeals or queries on tutor qualifications expeditiously. The Deputy may be aware that I recently requested the NCSE to prepare Policy Advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A wide consultation process will be a feature of the preparation of the advice and I have specifically requested the NCSE to consult widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties. The NCSE has commissioned research which will also inform much of the work in preparing the policy advice. It is expected that their report will be finalised in early 2015.

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