Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to alter the status of tutors working under the home tuition scheme in terms of their recognition and inclusion within the broader education system, and their entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53432/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Department of Education and Youth’s 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.

The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is governed by annual circulars which sets out the purpose, eligibility criteria and details of the scheme. Circular 0047/2025 provides information in relation to the 2025/2026 Home Tuition Grant Scheme and can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Circular_0047-2025_Home_Tuition_Grant_Scheme_2025_2026__Special_Education_Component.pdf

For children and students who qualify under the Home Tuition Grant Schemes, sanction is given to allocate a grant to the parents/legal guardians for the provision of home tuition for the child/student in question. Parents/legal guardians source and engage tutors to provide the tuition in a private arrangement. To facilitate parents, my department acts as payroll agent on behalf of the parent/legal guardian for the payment of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme. It is important to note that there is no contractual relationship between the tutor and the department.

Tutors engaged under the scheme are generally considered self-employed and are liable for PRSI class S contributions, as determined by the Department of Social Protection. In accordance with instructions from the Revenue Commissioners, payments made under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme are subject to statutory deductions at source. Tutors are paid monthly in arrears for hours worked, following submission of a completed payment claim form which is co-signed by both the tutor and the parent or legal guardian.

At present, there are no plans to alter the status of tutors working under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme or to review the existing arrangements with the Revenue Commissioners or the Department of Social Protection.