Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Under the assistive technology scheme, as set out in my Department's circular on the matter, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment that are required for educational purposes. As the Deputy will be aware, equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment that they do not already have or which cannot be provided to them through the school's existing IT provision. 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.

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.

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 the Department as to whether assistive technology is required. Based on this recommendation, the Department’s officials will decide on the level of grant. The NCSE operates within my Department’s criteria in making such recommendations.

Due to obligations under the GDPR, a temporary pause was applied to the processing of assistive technology applications. This pause was necessitated by the sensitive nature of personal data submitted by schools along with applications, and the requirement for a joint data controller agreement between the NCSE and the Department. Pending the agreement, the application form has been unavailable on the NCSE’s website. Department officials advise that the joint data controller agreement will be finalised today and that arrangements are being made for the application form to be placed on the NCSE website. Once available, all applications can and will be processed by the Department in time for the commencement of the next school year in September.

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