Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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471. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) cannot obtain assistive technology equipment to complete their education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36246/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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An application for Assistive Technology has been received and processed for the student in question.  The terms and conditions for the Assistive Technology Scheme are outlined in my Department's Circular 0010/2013 which is published. Under the Scheme, applications are made to the National Council for Special Education who process the application and make a recommendation to my Department. 

The student in this case does not qualify for support under the Scheme because documentary evidence of a diagnosed disability or a medical condition has not been provided.

The family has been informed of this decision.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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472. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will direct her officials to provide for the needs of particular children by ensuring that NEPS psychologists, speech and language therapists and art therapists are given access to primary schools in the context of her assertions that primary schools are safe for both children and adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36271/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Covid-19 has had a major impact on our daily lives and we have all had to adjust and adapt in the face of significant challenges in the course of 2020.  From the outset of this pandemic the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has continued to deliver a psychological service to schools within the context of public health advice. In addition, NEPS has remained proactive in the development of advice for schools, parents and pupils to support the well-being of students and the transition back into school.

Guidelines have now been issued to psychologists and to schools to clarify procedures for in-school work to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the school communities and NEPS staff.

Now that our schools have reopened and are settled back into their routines NEPS psychologists have an increased focus on both consultation and casework in schools with particular attention to the needs of individual students.  Psychologists will take a blended approach to the provision of casework to schools, working both remotely, and where appropriate in-school, depending on school protocols/plans and of the nature of need. This recognises that some aspects of casework will require the psychologist to work in the school, while other aspects of the work may be done remotely in order to minimise risk and maximise safety. 

As part of a package of measures to support the reopening of our schools the provision of an additional seventeen psychologist posts to NEPS was announced bringing overall sanctioned numbers to 221 whole time equivalent psychologist posts. 

In relation to speech and language therapists and art therapists, as they are not Departmental staff, I am not in a position to direct them to visit schools.  I would like to draw the Deputy’s attention to the COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of all Schools which provides guidance on the safe reopening of schools. This guidance includes information on Access to Schools. Arrangements for necessary visitors is restricted to essential purposes and limited to those who have obtained prior approval from the principal.Therefore the guidelines do not prohibit the visiting to schools by external personnel or professionals for the purpose of supporting schools, or for essential purposes.