Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding special needs. [15773/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm that, despite the assertion made by the organisation referred to by the Deputy to the effect that my Department had not responded to their letter of 30 August 2013, my Department in fact responded on a number of occasions both to that letter and to subsequent letters. The initial contact from the organisation was on 30th August by way of email. Officials from my Department met with the organisation on 26th November 2014. Following this meeting officials wrote to the organisation on the following dates 29th November 2013, 4th December 2013, 6th December 2013, 10th January 2014 and 26th February 2014. Officials from my Department are currently in the process of replying to the most recent letter from the Organisation dated 19th Mar 2014.

My officials have clarified that the provision set out in circular 0006/2013 which requires tutors engaged in the provision of Home Tuition to be registered with the Teaching Council does not materially alter the eligibility criteria for tutors as claimed in the correspondence. Prior to this circular my Department required that tutors should be qualified teachers and, in the event that a qualified teacher was not available, my Department accepted and continues to accept tutors with level 7 qualifications. The list of acceptable qualifications is included in the circular and has not materially changed from previous circulars. The requirement for registration with the teaching council with effect from the 2013/2014 school year does not exclude any party who may have been eligible in the past. Registration, including temporary registration, is available for all such applicants provided they hold the necessary qualifications. Registration provides independent assurances to the Department that the qualifications claimed are validly held.