Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a resolution will be found between the Health Service Executive and his Department as to who is responsible for providing a person (details supplied) in County Cork with an i-Pad to help them communicate and to assist with their education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55333/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology for pupils in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools for personal computers and specialist software for educational purposes under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.

However, the scheme does not normally provide for communication devices which have a general application outside of school and which are normally provided for by the Health Service Executive (HSE) through its Aids and Appliances scheme. Funding under the Aids and Appliances scheme 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.

I can advise the Deputy that an application for assistive technology support for the child referred to in this question has been received in my Department. Further information has been requested from the school regarding the proposed purpose and usage of this equipment and the application will be considered further once this information is received.