Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

346. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to examine the case of costs incurred for home schooling of a student (details supplied); the measures in place to ensure that children with disabilities receive appropriate education without financial burden; if she will investigate the reason this family was not informed of grant entitlements and consider retrospective reimbursement; the steps that will be taken to prevent other vulnerable children from facing similar financial and educational hardships in the future. [42727/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government.

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.

This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.

The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is governed by annual circulars which sets out the purpose, eligibility criteria and details of the scheme. Full details are published on the following webpage: gov.ie - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie). All schools are aware of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme. Equally, parents/legal guardians are encouraged to engage with the NCSE if they have any queries or concerns around the provision of supports for their child.

In relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, the child in question would not meet the eligibility criteria as, in accordance with the rules of the scheme, an application for the Home Tuition Grant Scheme must have been received at the appropriate time (i.e., in advance of any proposed tuition taking place).

The following is general information on the Department’s Home Tuition Grant Scheme (Special Education Component):

The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for

a. Preschool Children with autism who meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria.

b. Children seeking a Special School or Special Class placement.

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

d. Students, enrolled in schools, with school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school.

• The student’s attendance levels during the previous school year.
• A relevant medical /relevant professional report. In the case of category d), a psychologist’s/psychiatrist’s report will be required.
• Details of engagement with the relevant support agencies (e.g., School, NEPS, Education Welfare Officer (EWO), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), TUSLA (Child and Family Agency), HSE, NCSE). Applicable to category d) only.