Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 786: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if additional funding is available for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been awarded a vocational educational committee scholarship for study in the UK and has dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10662/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The fund for students with disabilities, which is ESF-aided, was introduced in 1994. It provides funding to students with disabilities attending courses in Irish and UK third level institutions and, since 1998, in post-leaving certificate centres. This fund is administered by the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education, national office.

The purpose of the fund is to provide students with serious physical and-or sensory disabilities with grant assistance towards the cost of special equipment, special materials and technological aids, targeted transport services, personal assistants and sign language interpreters. To be considered eligible for the fund an applicant must meet the prescribed criteria.

Applications for assistance are made by the individual students through the disability-access officer of a third level institution on registration. Decisions on applications are taken by the national office and verified by an independent panel comprising representatives of agencies and individuals who have experience of working with people with disabilities.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 787: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an educational assessment will be arranged for persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if financial assistance will be granted to the family to have the assessments carried out privately; if there is a waiting list; if she will expedite the request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10663/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The children to whom the Deputy refers attend three different schools. Two are attending primary schools and the eldest child is in attendance at a post-primary school.

Each school receives psychological support from the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. I understand one child will be the subject of consultation shortly between the principal and the psychologist assigned to that school. Another child will be assessed by the HSE and the outcome of that assessment will influence any further involvement by NEPS.

The child who is attending post-primary school has not been prioritised by the school principal for referral to NEPS. However, the psychologist assigned to that school will consult shortly with the principal and relevant teachers concerning the educational needs of this student.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 788: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a laptop computer will be provided to assist in the education of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10664/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Youthreach centre in this case has advised my Department that in the event the young person concerned is admitted as a trainee there, educational supports, equipment and training, as appropriate, will be provided in the centre in accordance with the learning aims and objectives of the programme.