Mr. Sé Goulding:

We completely agree with that. What I was trying to say in the context of it being a tool is that if the teacher is clued in it can be really valuable. To put that in context, in most cases where a student has access to such technology at primary level, it should transfer to second level. We would deal with probably 1,500 or 1,700 applications each year from the primary and post-primary sector. The question is whether the second-level school will be in a position to obtain the equipment. Under the current scheme operated by the Department, it is an asset of the school and the school has to track its assets. That is the scheme that we operate. We provide the reports to the Department and it allocates the supports to the schools.

On reasonable accommodation, I should have said that the scheme, as the Deputy is probably aware, is administered by the State Examination Commission because it relates specifically to the junior certificate and leaving certificate examinations and it determines the regulations that are put in place on access to reasonable accommodation.