Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the qualification requirements for teachers providing home tuition for children with autism spectrum disorder were recently changed from specialist training in autism to a general primary school qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50297/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Home Tuition is provided to children who are unable to attend school or are awaiting a suitable educational placement and for pre-school children with autism. The qualification requirements for tutors providing home tuition to children have not changed. It remains the case that Home tutors should be fully qualified teachers. When it is not possible to recruit a fully qualified teacher then alternative appropriate third level qualifications may be acceptable. However, from this year my Department has also required that, in addition to being qualified teachers, tutors must be registered or have applied for registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland. Tutors with acceptable third level qualifications will be eligible to apply for registration. Accordingly, those whose qualifications were acceptable in the past remain eligible, provided they have applied for registration with the Teaching Council.