Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017
154. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budgetary allocation for special educational equipment such as assistive technology over each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18529/17]
View answerMy Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology, for educational purposes, to assist children with special educational needs in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools, in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.
In order to qualify for equipment under the 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 IT equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
Equipment such as FM Radio systems and Soundfield systems for children with a hearing impairment, Braille equipment to assist children with a visual impairment as well as personal computers and specialist software are amongst the items funded by my Department. Schools apply to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) for such support. SENOs make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support in the form of Assistive Technology.
Details of the funds that have been spent on the Assistive Technology Scheme, in primary and post primary schools in each year from 2012 to date in 2016, are included in the following table:
|
Assistive Technology Grants |
Total |
|
2016 |
€2,279,658 |
|
2015 |
€1,775,361 |
|
2014 |
€1,575,594 |
|
2013 |
€1,448,866 |
|
2012 |
€1,442,857 |
