Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 177 and 178 of 12 October 2010, the reasons a person (details supplied) has not received a laptop to ensure their educational needs are met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3803/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As I have previously advised the Deputy, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers, Special Needs Assistants and making recommendations on the provision of assistive technology to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

On 20 July 2010, my Department sanctioned a grant to the pupil's school for computer software for the pupil in question. The NCSE has stated that an application for access to a laptop may be reconsidered once the pupil in question can use this software effectively.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention.