Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for assistive technology in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2791/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating Resource Teachers and Special Needs Assistants to schools to support children with special educational needs. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology support is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in recommending such support.

I can confirm that an application for assistive technology support for the child referred to by the Deputy has been received in my Department. The child's school have been asked to provide outstanding information in relation to this application and a decision will then issue to the school upon receipt of this outstanding information.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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252. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that the necessary and appropriate education supports will be provided to a child with disabilities (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2797/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. In particular, its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) co-ordinates special needs education provision at local level and arranges for the delivery of special educational services. The SENOs act as single points of contact for parents of students with special educational needs. Another specific function of the SENO is to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs. SENOs are a valuable source of support to parents who are actively sourcing a placement for their children. Furthermore the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which assists parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Health Service Executive is responsible for the provision of health supports, including therapies, to children with special educational needs.

The NCSE has confirmed to my Department that a placement in a special school is available for the child in question. The local SENO and Educational Welfare Officer continue to be available to liaise with the school, parents and other parties as appropriate in order to assist with the matter.