Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
563. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the schemes in place to allow for primary and secondary school students to avail of laptops after it being deemed necessary for their education following an assessment if they do not have the means to purchase one; and the procedures they need to follow to obtain one. [50687/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides an Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013 which is published on the Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0010_2013.pdf. Under this scheme 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 Organisers (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. Professional reports (from psychologists or occupational therapists, for example) must be submitted by the school along with the application. These reports must have a recent and comprehensive professional assessment of the nature and extent of disability, and outline that the equipment is essential for the pupil to access the curriculum.
Equipment may only be provided where medical and/or other professional reports outline that the degree of communicative disability is such that this equipment is essential to allow the pupil to access education and set out how the equipment will provide for this.
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.
SENOs review the application and professional reports, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. A recommendation is then made to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department decides on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
