Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a piece of equipment will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29582/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under Special Education's Assistive Technology Scheme, the Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology for pupils in primary schools and special schools for personal computers and specialist software. However, funding is not provided towards the cost of communication devices.

On 08 September 2011, a letter issued to The Principal of Nagle Rice Primary School sanctioning the following software: Laptop Computer, Printer/Scanner, Clicker 5, Boardmaker and Step by Step. However, the Schools application for Eye Gaze Technology was refused as this is a communication device and does not come under the remit of the Assistive Technology Scheme. I am aware that the HSE has provided once off grants under the Aids & Appliances Scheme for "low and high tech assistive technologies including communication devices and computer access software. This funding is dispersed by local HSE services to local community care clinics or voluntary agencies. Information in relation funding under the Aids & Appliances Scheme is available from Local Health Centres.