Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue. I raise the issue of two girls, aged nine and 11, who urgently require access to assistive technology for the visually impaired so they can access a full education. As the Minister of State is aware from previous correspondence, despite extensive difficulties relating to their vision, both girls have a difficulty in accessing the assistive technology they require as a result of their visual impairment. These young girls have been denied the support they need because they cannot get a visiting teacher to sign off on the request for this equipment because it is being claimed by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, that these girls do not have access to a visiting teacher. When we pointed out that they previously had access to a visiting teacher, the response was that they only received that access informally. The claim is being made that the access to the visiting teacher was never officially provided.

The family was never informed that this was not officially provided, and the freedom of information file contradicts this position. They have engaged with a visiting teacher on an ongoing basis and a visiting teacher had access to medical reports etc., but now when they need a signature, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is claiming the support to date was unofficial and, as a result, the vital equipment cannot now be authorised. Despite a wealth of paperwork and reports being submitted clearly showing the support provided to both children by the visiting teacher, it has been claimed this was "informal support that was given in an informal fashion". Both of these children have received access from the visiting teacher for the visually impaired since they were toddlers.

The visiting teacher went to their home, carried out assessments, gave advice, wrote reports for the school and provided support in preschool. Yet they are still being asked to believe this access was informal. Even if we did accept that, which we do not, why should this in some way prevent them from accessing the support they clearly need? These children have been assessed by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, NCBI, as requiring specific technology for the visually impaired and cannot function in school without this specific support. The NCSE accepts these visually impaired children need assistive technology to function in school, but the family is being urged to accept assistive technology appropriate for children with dyslexia rather than that for children with a visual impairment.

How can anyone stand over a situation where the necessary technology which would vastly improve the day-to-day school life for these children is being refused? An application for assistive technology for the visually impaired was submitted 14 months ago for visual equipment, but that application has sat there since because of the failure to sign off by a visiting teacher. The Minister of State has told me in her replies that the family can still access the support of the visiting teacher but just did not get a signature. Instead, the State is prepared to spend public money to provide basic assistive technology equipment, which is not fit for purpose for these children, both of whom have being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition. The State's failure to provide appropriate assistive technology now results in these children being unable to access the full curriculum, a basic right for every child in this country.

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