Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to implement the recommendations made by the Ombudsman for Children following an investigation regarding the refusal to provide an assistive technology grant to a child by the Department of Education and Skills published on 7 March 2012. [13974/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Firstly, I wish to explain to the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. In such circumstances, the NSCE may recommend the provision of assistive technology support and a grant for the recommended equipment may be paid to the school by my Department.

All applications for assistive technology support must be treated equitably. As such, it is not possible to extend the scheme to pupils who do not qualify under the scheme's criteria as to do so would have significant resource and policy considerations. However in the event that new information comes to hand such as new medical reports or assessments, a SENO can review any application for assistive technology which had previously been refused. Officials in my Department are currently drafting a new circular which will provide clarity for parents and schools regarding the operation and qualification criteria for the scheme. Recommendations made by the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in relation to the case referred to by the Deputy are currently under consideration in my Department.