John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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355. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if home tuition hours and any other necessary supports will be approved for a person (details supplied). [65260/25]

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 0047/2025 provides information in relation to the 2025/2026 Home Tuition Grant Scheme and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/home-tuition-grant-scheme-2025-2026-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 for students with a significant medical condition, the principle remains that home tuition cannot be provided as an alternative to school attendance.

With regard to the child referenced by the Deputy, the Department has no record of receiving an application for Home Tuition in respect of this child.

It remains open to the parents or legal guardians to contact the Special Education Section for guidance on the application process and to seek information on the eligibility criteria for the various strands of the scheme.

Alternatively, should the Deputy wish to provide the Department with the relevant contact details, an official will make direct contact with the parents or legal guardians to offer assistance.

Contact details for the Home Tuition Unit are as follows:

Address:

Special Education Section

Department of Education and Youth

Cornamaddy

Athlone

County Westmeath

N37 X659

Email: special_education@education.gov.ie

Telephone: (090) 648 4187