Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has made a decision following an interim response regarding financial assistance to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9005/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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.

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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not, to date, received an application for assistive technology support for the child referred to in his question.

The parents, or school, of the child concerned should therefore contact the NCSE regarding a potential application for support in the first instance. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.