1541. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children participating in, or approved for, home tuition for the 2026-2027 school year specifically because an appropriate special education placement was unavailable; the projected cost of such provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63995/26]

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. In the case of children seeking or transitioning to a Special School or Special Class placement, home tuition is intended as an interim measure pending the availability of a suitable placement.

It is important to note that the number of Home Tuition approvals for children seeking or transitioning to a Special School or Special Class placement is not an indicator of the number of children without a school placement. Many children availing of this support are accessing educational provision through private group providers, while others may avail of home tuition while they transition into a new school placement during the course of the school year.

For the 2026-2027 school year, there are currently 101 children approved for Home Tuition in this category, the majority of whom are transitioning to a placement or remaining in a private group provider.

It is estimated that the cost of providing home tuition to these children for a full school year would be approximately €4 million, however this cost will reduce as children transition to new placements.

My Department continues to work closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), school patrons and schools to expand special education capacity and ensure that appropriate placements are available for children with special educational needs. Home Tuition remains an interim support and is not intended to operate as a long-term alternative to a school placement.