Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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261. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for the reintroduction of a child to school (details supplied); the steps her Department is taking to reintroduce them into school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23282/26]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and for allocating supports to students with special educational needs. Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my Department and the NCSE.

The Home Tuition Scheme provides funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for:

1. Pre-School Children with autism who meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria.
2. Children seeking a Special School or Special Class placement.
3. 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.
4. 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.

With regard to the child referenced by the Deputy, the Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) is in contact with the parents concerned and is assisting them with the Home Tuition application process. Once my Department receives the application, officials have committed to prioritising it to ensure that home tuition can be put in place as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the SENO remains available to assist the parents with their child’s special educational needs.

My Department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system of the highest quality, where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.