Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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917. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding home tuition hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15357/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not provide for preschool services other than early intervention for autistic children which includes ASD early intervention classes in mainstream and special schools.  

Parents/guardians of preschool aged autistic children who may need advice should contact their local NCSE Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist and advise them on the preschool provision available for their child.

Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.

The principal vehicle for the delivery of preschool education is the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme which provides early childhood care and education for children of preschool age. Since 2016 the inclusion of children with a special needs, including Autism, in the ECCE Scheme has been supported under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) for preschool.

In circumstances where an autistic child cannot access a placement in an ASD Early Intervention Class and are attending an ECCE preschool they may be eligible to be supplemented by the Home Tuition grant.

Please see the link below to the Home Tuition circular and application form. 

www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0044_2020.pdf.

www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Home-Tuition/Home-Tuition-Form-HTSEN1.pdf.