Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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535. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a request for assistive technology in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18213/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, 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.

This Circular states that equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum, which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school's existing provisions.

Following consideration of information which has been provided by the school in relation to the application for equipment for the pupil in question, I can advise the Deputy that the equipment which has been applied for is already available to the pupil. As such, the application does not meet the criteria for the allocation of support under my Department's Assistive Technology scheme.

The process for appealing this decision is set out in Circular 0010/2013. I understand the further information referred to by the Deputy has not been received in my Department.