Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 452: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a laptop will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36178/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As you are aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the 75 local special educational needs organisers, known as SENOs, is responsible for processing applications from schools for special needs supports. These supports include resource teaching hours and SNA support for pupils with low-incidence special needs and assistive technology or equipment for pupils in either high-or low-incidence special educational needs categories. In this way pressing needs in the area of special needs supports in schools are identified early and acted upon quickly.

My officials have been in contact with the NCSE regarding an application for assistive technology for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. I can confirm that an application has been received by the local SENO. The SENO requested additional information from the school in support of the application and this was furnished to the SENO recently. The SENO will convey a decision on the application directly to the school authorities as quickly as possible.