Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason services (details supplied) at Saint Michael's House are being cut; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25401/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that choose to extend their education services through the month of July. This Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Where school based provision is not feasible, home based provision may be grant aided.

I wish to clarify for the Deputy there has been no cut to funding for the July Provision Scheme. I cannot comment on the availability of respite supports for families of children with special educational needs which are a matter for the Health Service Executive.

The Department of Education and Skills invites all schools catering for children in these disability categories to participate each year. However it is a matter for the Board of Management of each school to determine if they wish to participate.

As the school referred to by the Deputy is not participating in the school based programme, home based provision has been approved for the pupil concerned for the month of July. However as the proposed tuition dates outlined in the correspondence provided by the Deputy conflict with the sanction period, my officials will contact the parent directly to clarify the parameters of the July Programme Scheme in this regard.