Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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452. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has had an opportunity to review correspondence (details supplied) regarding section 6 of her Department's circular 48/2014. [6911/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Home Tuition scheme provides compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides for children with special educational needs awaiting a suitable educational placement and for early intervention for children with autism.

In line with the terms of the scheme, parents/guardians must recruit a teacher who is qualified to teach in the sector concerned and who is registered accordingly with the Teaching Council of Ireland, similar to the requirement for teachers in schools.

Where all efforts have failed to secure the services of a teacher qualified to teach in the sector concerned, the Department may consider the engagement of a person who is registered with or whose application for registration has been accepted by the Teaching Council and has a primary degree (minimum Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in the relevant area, e.g. Psychology.

As tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that home tutors are qualified to provide an educational programme. Therefore I do not intend to remove the requirement, as proposed in the details provided by the Deputy that parents must initially attempt to source a teacher qualified in the sector before requesting approval for tutors with alternative qualifications.