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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Questions (232)

Pauline Tully

Question:

232. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the funding that was allocated for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; the unmet need for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; the additional funding needed to increase funding for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36988/21]

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Written answers

Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school’s existing IT provision.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Education Needs Officers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for assistive technology support.

Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.

SENOs will review the application and professional reports, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department’s officials will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making such recommendations, as set out in Circular 0010/2013.

The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.

All applications which met the criteria for assistive technology support, as set out in DES Circular 10/2013 have been processed and approved for the grant each year.

There is therefore not unmet need for assistive technologies for persons each year, under this scheme, as all qualifying applications have been provided for.

As the expenditure figures for 2021 are not yet available, I have included details of the expenditure for each of the last three years, for which data is available.

The cost of increasing the expenditure by 5% 10% and 25% each year is also included.

Year

Expenditure

Expenditure 5% increase

Expenditure 10% increase

Expenditure 25% increase

2018

€2,382,785

€2,501,924

€2,621,063

€2,978,481

2019

€2,577,180

€2,706,039

€2,834,898

€3,221,475

2020

€2,013,236

€2,113,898

€2,214,560

€2,516,545

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