Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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509. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) can access the grant administered by schools to supply hearing aids. [1601/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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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, including applications for assistive technology.

Special Needs Organisers (SENOs) make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013. 

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

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 which have a general application outside of school, are not provided for under the Assistive Technology scheme. 

I wish to advise the Deputy, however, that personal hearing/communication devices, as referred to in her question, are provided for children by the Department of Health through the Health Service Executive. As such, the Deputy may wish to direct her query in relation to the provision of Hearing Aids to those bodies.