Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding home tuition in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Kerry who was referred to a unit that has not been built yet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23978/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement and provision is made for early educational intervention for children with autism. Eligibility for children seeking an educational placement is determined in consultation with the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).

In the case referred to by the Deputy, the SENO has confirmed that there are places available in in a local autism class for the 2014/2015 school year and therefore an application for home tuition was refused. The child's parents were advised accordingly last month.

In relation to the Deputy's reference to a new class being established the SENO has confirmed that a separate autism class has been established in another school which will be operational from September 2015.