Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to delays to the granting of home tuition hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38969/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for:

(a) Early educational intervention for children with autism who meet the schemes eligibility criteria

(b) Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognised school

(c) Students, enrolled in schools, with significant medical conditions which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school.

The application forms and related Circular for this year’s scheme were published on the 8th August 2019. Last year, the forms and circular were published on the 26th July 2018.

The Home Tuition Application form outlines that it may take the Department up to 15 working days to process home tuition applications.

The vast majority of applications made during the summer have been processed. The Department is prioritising the processing of Home Tuition applications with a view to processing completed applications within a shorter timeframe.

The operation of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is reviewed annually. Officials in my Department will review the operation of the 2019/20 Home Tuition Grant Scheme which will take into consideration any issues arising during the school year.