Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

912. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 14 May 2015, the reason her Department is annually paying millions of euro directly to a private commercial organisation, in the absence of a contract; the reason the document, dated 3 October 2013, issued by her Department to that company includes the clause, "I would be most obliged if you could revert in writing that the above terms are acceptable to you", which appears to suggest a contract does actually exist between her Department and this company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20825/15]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

913. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 14 May 2015, the way she maintains the home tuition scheme is operated in a consistent and equitable manner, when her Department is paying one private commercial organisation 48 hours per week at the higher qualified rate, whilst paying another service provider at a lower rate of only 20 hours, at the higher qualified rate, as evidenced by the agreements issued by her Department, dated 23 September 2013 and 3 October 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20826/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 912 and 913 together.

Where parents of children who are eligible for home tuition have sought alternative arrangements to be put in place for the tuition my Department has responded and facilitated by putting arrangements in place with private commercial organisations which provide group tuition to children in a class type setting.

The arrangements facilitate the transfer of home tuition payments, normally paid directly to the parents, to the provider and a reduction of the rates paid in recognition of the fact that the service is less expensive than normal, as the children are tutored together. The document referred to by the Deputy relates to the terms of the arrangements for the provision of funding to the private commercial organisation. These arrangements take account of the fact that children are tutored in group settings giving rise significant cost savings. My Department has no contract with this or any other provider. The contract is essentially between the parents and the provider.

I wish to inform the Deputy that it is, in my view, reasonable to conclude that the Department has maintained a consistent position in relation to the development of group arrangements and direct payment arrangements for home tuition and that the scheme is operated in a consistent and equitable manner.

The rates agreed between my Department and a number of providers in 2013/2014 represents significant value for money. The rate agreed with the one provider was agreed in 2008 and is subject to review and my Department will decide if and when such a review should be undertaken. The rates agreed with the later organistations were the best rates which could be agreed at the time and represent value for money for the Department.