Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there have been any cases where the rule regarding the collective pooling of home tuition for children from the same family has been disregarded due to the differing nature of children's conditions or any other reason; the number of occasions this has occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54675/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that there are two separate cases where the combined allocation of home tuition initially approved by my Department was appealed resulting in increased allocations.

As set out in the Home Tuition Circular, allocations to siblings are reflective of the school grouping principle. The pupil teacher ratio in school settings can result in one teacher being allocated to a class of six pupils with children of mixed age and ability 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.

However, in recognition of the differentiated needs of some siblings, and as in the two cases in question, separate allocations have been considered on a case by case basis. Applications in this regard were accompanied by 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.