Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2016
74. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 for an appliance; and when can they expect a decision on their case. [4483/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
I can confirm that following receipt of an application for assistive technology support for the child referred to in this question, a letter issued to the school on 10th March, 2015, seeking further information to support the application. As the application was incomplete, pending receipt of the requested information, it was not completed. My Department now understands that the pupil has in the interim changed school.
Should the school to which the pupil is now enrolled wish to apply for Assistive Technology support, the school should make such an application to the NCSE. The scheme requires that considerations of applications take account of the school environment and existing equipment in the school.
