Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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484. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the case of a child (details supplied). [4417/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.

This year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs.As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, SNAs and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. My Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

In circumstances, where no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, the Department can provide Home Tuition grant funding towards the provision of 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.

In relation to the case referenced by the Deputy, the parent is advised to contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) in respect of any difficulty they are experiencing in getting a suitable placement. SENO contact details are available on the NCSE website at: . A copy of this reply will be sent to the NCSE for its attention.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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485. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the case of a child (details supplied) with special needs and their education. [4418/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school.

Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.

The scheme does not support children outside of these specific circumstances. An application for home tuition for the pupil referred to by the Deputy was received under the medical strand of the scheme. The application was refused on the basis that it did not meet the criteria for this strand. Education for pupils at very high risk due to COVID-19 is managed and delivered by their school.

My Department has published guidance to support schools in making adapted education provision for students with an underlying medical condition who cannot return to school because they are medically certified as being at very high risk to COVID-19.

The guidance for primary and post schools on supporting such students is available via the following link

My Department also published updated Guidance on Continuity of Schooling: Supporting Pupils with Special Educational Needs.

The guidance builds on the key messages in a range of guidance materials which were issued to schools and centres for education as they were published.

In addition extensive support and advice for schools regarding the provision of distance learning is available through the Department’s support services and agencies including for those pupils with special educational needs.