Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an application for assistive technology will be complete and the device made available to a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30933/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that 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.

To date the NCSE have not forwarded a completed application to my Department recommending assistive technology equipment for this child.

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.