Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if SNAs who apply for the July provision need to supply a Teaching Council number (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18938/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Purpose of July Provision Programme Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards an extended school year for children with a severe or profound general learning disability or children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Where eligible students cannot be accommodated in a school based programme, funding may be provided towards the provision of 40 hours home based tuition.

As home based tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that the educational programme provided generally reflects that which would be provided in a school environment.

It is appropriate therefore that the qualification standard for home based tuition generally reflects that required in a school environment. Accordingly, it is a condition of the scheme that parents/guardians must recruit a tutor who is qualified in the relevant sector, and is registered with the Teaching Council, similar to the requirement for teachers in schools. 

Where all efforts have failed to secure the services of a teacher qualified to teach in the sector concerned, the Department may consider the engagement of a person who is registered with the Teaching Council and has a primary degree (minimum Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in a relevant area.

Further general information regarding the home-based scheme is outlined in the July Provision Information Note which is available on my Department's website at the link below;