Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a programme by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30416/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school's existing IT provision.

The type of equipment provided under the Assistive Technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for students with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Education Needs Officers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for assistive technology support.

Due to obligations under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a temporary pause was recently applied to the processing of Assistive Technology applications. This pause was necessitated by the sensitive nature of personal data submitted by schools along with applications, and the requirement for a Joint Data Controller Agreement between the NCSE and my Department.

The Joint Data Controller Agreement has now been finalised however, and the Assistive Technology application process is now in operation again.

An application for Assistive Technology in respect of the child referred to by the Deputy has been submitted by the school to the NCSE. On receipt of the SENO's recommendation to my Department, the application will be reviewed, and the school will be advised in writing of the decision on same.