Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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474. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to students who, for medical reasons, have accrued substantial absence; whether any additional supports exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25714/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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My department's Home Tuition Grant Schemes provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.

The Home Tuition Grant Schemes are governed by annual circulars which sets out the purpose, eligibility criteria and details of the scheme. Circular 0050/2024 provides information in relation to the 2024/2025 Home Tuition Grant Scheme and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/home-tuition-grant-scheme-20242025-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) Pre-School 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

In relation to applications in respect of students with a significant medical condition, the principle that home tuition cannot be provided as an alternative to school applies.

Eligibility is assessed having regard to, although not limited to, the following criteria

• The student’s attendance levels during the previous school year.

• A relevant medical /relevant professional report - a separate report may be requested in some cases if required.

In exceptional cases, in recognition of significant and immediate circumstances, the Department will consider home tuition hours to compensate for a period of absence occurring in the current school year on a case by case basis. Home tuition hours in these circumstances are provided on a once off basis to compensate for a period of absence from school. Therefore this period of absence will not attract home tuition hours if an application for home tuition is made in the next school year.

Generally, grant aid based on a range of between 2 and 10 hours tuition may be approved with the allocation reflecting the level of attendance in the previous school year, and whether the attendance was at primary or post primary level. As a general guide, up to 5 hours may be granted to children at primary level while students at post primary level may be granted between 2 and 7 hours, and students sitting their Leaving Certificate Examinations may be granted between 2 and 10 hours.

Officials from my department will contact the families concerned to give information on the Home Tuition Grant Scheme, and the application process, and provide any addition assistance or information they may require.