Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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275. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding she can provide to a parent who has a child with severe learning disabilities to subsidise the exorbitant Internet usage charges due to residing in a remote area with very limited Internet services in order to download tailored online educational programmes which are crucial to the progression of the child's education and learning development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9129/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there is currently no specific programme funding available to cover internet usage/cost for broadband to individuals (per the terms of Department circular to schools circular 0010/2013).

Under the Schools Broadband Access Programme, my Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for recognised primary and post primary schools. More broadly, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has responsibility for the roll out of the National Digital Strategy nationally which includes broadband connectivity as one of its main aims.

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 IT equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs

The parents, or school, of the child concerned may wish to contact the NCSE regarding a potential application for support. 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.