Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of home tuition for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45236/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children with Special Educational Needs where a school placement is not available as confirmed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO).

The availability of a school placement is assessed by the NCSE having regard to, although not limited to, the relevant diagnosis and relevant professional report.

The NCSE identified a school placement for the child referred to by the Deputy, therefore Home Tuition could not be granted. The Home Tuition Circular 0050/2017 sets out that “Home Tuition will not be available where a school placement has been identified by the NCSE.”

An appeal on the decision regarding Home Tuition for the child referred to by the Deputy has recently been received by the Special Education Section of my Department.

The appeal is currently under consideration and a response will issue to the parents concerned in due course.