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

219. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to support an urgent matter (details supplied) regarding home tuition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1601/16]

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

My Department administers two separate Home Tuition Schemes. One of the schemes provides a compensatory educational service for children, who for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend 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.

Eligibility for Home Tuition for children with a significant medical condition is assessed having regard to the pupil's attendance levels for the previous school year and, in the main, by reference to a completed medical report. The application form and Circular 0038/2015, which details the eligibility criteria for the scheme, are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

A separate scheme provides tuition for children who do not have a school place and for whom a school place is being actively sought. This scheme may, subject to certain criteria, provide Home Tuition for children on whose behalf an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 has been lodged.

Applications for this scheme may be made through the local office of The Child and Family Agency - contact details are available on their website at www.tusla.

I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no record of receipt of an application under either of the Home Tuition schemes, to date for the pupil in question.

The Deputy may be aware that my Department published new anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year. The procedures which are available on my Department's website are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils. They include specific requirements in relation to the use of prevention and education strategies and the consistent investigation, follow up and recording of bullying behaviour.