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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021

Thursday, 4 March 2021

Questions (133)

Martin Browne

Question:

133. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to an application by a family (details supplied) for assistive technology for their child which has been rejected despite the recommendations of their doctor; and if there is another way the required assistive technology can be provided. [12246/21]

View answer

Written answers

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, including applications for assistive technology. SENOs then make recommendations to my Department. Therefore, I have referred the query in relation to this application to the NCSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, as set out in Circular 0010/2013 which is published on my Department’s website.

https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0010_2013.pdf

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.

It is open to the school to appeal this decision. The appeals process is outlined on my Department’s website at the following link:

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Grants-and-Additional-Support/Assistive-Technology-Grant/

Underpinning the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools, my Department provided €100m in grant funding to schools to address their ICT needs during 2020. Schools were advised that they can use this funding to support the continuity of teaching and learning should a period of partial or full school closure occur arising from Public Health advice owing to Covid-19 restrictions as is the current situation.

This ICT Grant funding issues to schools, as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements. In the context of the current public health crisis this funding can be focused on assisting schools to address ICT needs including devices, software and other ICT solutions to support the provision of remote learning. This can include the purchase of ICT devices including laptops, which can be shared with students who do not have access to devices, essential learning platforms and other ICT infrastructure to support the provision of remote learning.

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