Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the levels of assistance provided through the assistive technology grant (details supplied). [43199/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment, sets out my Department's vision for embedding ICT in teaching, learning and assessment in primary and post-primary schools.  The Strategy recognises the issues schools face in relation to ICT infrastructure, and funding of €210m is committed to address these requirements over the period of the Strategy.  The first tranche of funding of €30m in respect of the 2016-2017 school year issued earlier this year. 

Separately, my Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology for students 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.  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 schools existing provisions.  

In excess of €1.8m was provided to schools in 2016 under the Assistive Technology scheme to support individual students, while a further €1.72 million has been provided to date this year.

Communication devices or medical or therapy related devices which are not specific educational interventions, or equipment specifically required as essential for school educational access, and have a general application outside of school, which are normally provided for children with disabilities by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and which are provided for through the HSE Aids and Appliances scheme are not provided for under this scheme.

Funding is not provided under the scheme to meet ongoing costs which arise through use of the technology such as connectivity costs or the purchase of applications (Apps). 

My Department has no plans to review the Assistive Technology scheme at present.