Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. This is particularly important vis-à-vis my role as Minister of State with responsibility for special education. Many children have difficulty reaching their potential without access to digital technologies. We need to provide these to them so that they can overcome traditional barriers to learning, and to support inclusion across the system.

The assistive technology scheme is provided by the Department to supplement the overall approach. The overall approach is the digital strategy for schools to 2027, with €200 million committed over the period, €50 million of which has already been given to schools. The equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum.

I am delighted that this year I was able to increase that funding by €2 million in budget 2023, which represents an increase of almost 60% on funding allocated to it previously. Last year it was €3.5 million and the additional €2 million brings it to €5.5 million, which will go a long way to helping children with additional needs avail of such technological assistance when required.

In 2021, a total of 3,766 students benefited from this scheme, 62 of whom are in the Deputy's constituency of Clare. The review is ongoing and we expect it to be completed by mid-2023. This process will have a consultative element and relevant stakeholders will be invited to participate. It is important for the entire digital strategy to be embedded in digital technologies across all learning for children with additional needs.

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