Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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483. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 1 October 2015 if a decision has been made on the matter. [39186/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise 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. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.

I understand that the NCSE is not in a position to make a recommendation to my Department for the provision of assistive technology for the pupil in question, as the application does not meet the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013. A letter has recently issued to the school in this regard.

It is open parents to contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on the NCSE website.