1503. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review an appeal lodged in relation to the provision of a grant under the home tuition scheme for 2026/2027 for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63631/26]

The 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, home tuition is intended to be a short-term intervention.

The Home Tuition Grant Scheme (Special Education Component) provides funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for:

• Pre-school children with autism who meet the scheme's eligibility criteria;

• Children seeking a Special School or Special Class placement;

• 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; and

• 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 the case of children seeking a Special School or Special Class placement, the aim of my Department is to ensure that every child is supported to access an appropriate school placement. The preferred approach is that children are educated in school settings where they can benefit from qualified teachers, individualised educational supports, access to the school curriculum, and opportunities to interact with their peers.

Accordingly, home tuition is provided as an interim measure only where a suitable placement in a recognised school is not currently available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement. In considering applications under the scheme, the key consideration is whether an appropriate placement is available.

In the case referred to by the Deputy, the application was assessed in accordance with the terms of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme. As the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) confirmed that a suitable school placement was available, the application did not meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme and was therefore refused.

I understand that an appeal has been submitted in relation to this decision. Officials in my Department are currently considering the appeal and are engaging with the NCSE to establish the full circumstances of the case and determine the most appropriate outcome.