Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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254. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider an application by a person (details supplied) for special needs equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34932/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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An application for Assistive Technology under the terms of Circular 0010/2013 was received by my Department in relation to the individual concerned.

The purpose of this scheme is to provide grant aid to schools to allow them purchase the type of specialist equipment which has been recommended by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as being essential for pupils with physical or communicative disabilities where, without such equipment, it would not be possible for them to access the school curriculum.

The application for assistive technology was examined by the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) assigned by the NCSE to the school. Consideration was given to the Professional Report provided with the application and the criteria set out in Circular 0010/2013. The application was refused as all the terms of Circular 0010/2013 were not met.

The application was reviewed by my Department and I regret to state that having regard to the terms of Circular 0010/2013 and the Special Educational Needs Organiser’s recommendation, funding has not been sanctioned to purchase the equipment at this time.