Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department can refuse to sanction home tuition to children with special needs in a situation in which the parents have on the advice of the professional team supporting the child declined a place in an early intervention class due to its unsuitability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29988/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the body responsible for organising and planning provision for children with Special Educational Needs, including establishing ASD early intervention classes and special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools.

There are currently 126 Early Intervention classes for children with ASD in recognised primary and special schools. Early Intervention classes are supported with a pupil–teacher ratio of 6:1 and also have Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 SNAs for a class of 6 children.

Children between 3 and 4 years of age with an ASD diagnosis and children over 4 years of age with an ASD diagnosis and a recommendation for an early intervention placement (who will not reach the age of 6 during the school year) can enrol in these early intervention settings.

Where such a placement is not available the Home Tuition Grant Scheme can provide funding towards a compensatory educational service for children until a placement becomes available.

Home Tuition is an interim measure only for children for whom an Early Intervention placement in a recognised school is not available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement. Home Tuition will not be available where a placement has been identified by the NCSE. Similarly, failure to enrol a child in a school placement at any point during the academic year will not give rise to eligibility under this scheme or the July Provision Grant Scheme.

It is not the role of diagnosing professionals to recommend Home Tuition as an alternative to a school placement. Such recommendations will not be taken into consideration when determining an application.

Parents/guardians who may need advice or to discuss supports available for their child should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) with contact details available on www.ncse.ie.