Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding home schooling hours in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [42909/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service 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 and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism.

The number of home tuition hours which are sanctioned in respect of children who has missed time from school due to chronic illness are based on that individual child's attendance at school.

In respect of the case referred to by the Deputy in his question, the allocation which has been made is based on the child's record of school attendance for the previous school year.

If the child's attendance deteriorates and if he is absent for a significant amount of days in the current school year, it is recommended that the parent/guardian make contact with officials in my Department to set out the position in relation to school attendance for the current school year.