Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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1283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of home tuition grants paid in respect of children aged between two and a half and three years of age who have been diagnosed on the autistic disorder spectrum last year; the number being funded for the forthcoming school year; the maximum amount of grants available and the minimum amount of grants available in these situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31467/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home tuition Scheme is to provide a 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. Provision is also made for early educational intervention for children with autism.

Tuition is provided for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement, as an interim measure until a school placement has been identified.

Home tuition funding is provided for children with a diagnosed ASD between the ages of two and a half and three years as they cannot enrol in an early intervention class in school under the age of three. The maximum number of hours allocated under this category is 10 hours per week.

During the 2014/2015 school year home tuition was approved for 192 children between the ages of two and a half and three. The numbers in question are not available for the current school year as applications are currently being processed.