Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if arrangements can be made to facilitate a second-level school place for a person (details supplied); if such a place will cater for the person's learning difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51954/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. 

This year, just under 25% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs.  As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, SNAs, special class and special school places are at unprecedented levels.  

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. The NCSE through the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO), is available to support both families and schools regarding a suitable placement. 

As the Deputy's query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when circular No. 0010/2013 (details supplied) regarding applications for assistive technology will be updated given the significant technological advances that have occurred over the past eight years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51957/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology for students in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools as set out in Circular 0010/2013, details of which are published on my Department’s website, and can be accessed at:  .  

The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports 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. 

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.

Communication devices or medical or therapy related devices which are not specific educational interventions, or equipment specifically required as essential for school educational access, that 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. 

It is anticipated that work in relation to reviewing the assistive technology scheme will commence in 2022.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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227. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the process for applications for assistive technology under circular No. 0010/2013 (details supplied); the average wait time from start of application to the time a student receives the assistive technology applied for; and the number of successful applications as a percentage of all applications for the past five years. [51958/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, 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.

All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.

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/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.

In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student 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 student 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.

Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.

SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.

Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment. 

Details of the percentage of successful applicants for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 will be forwarded to the Deputy. Details for the years 2019 and 2020 will be collated and forwarded to the Deputy as they are not readily available.

As the Assistive Technology application is made directly to the Local Special Education Needs Organiser in the NCSE, and, it is the responsibilty of each individual school to purchase the equipment after the grant is sanctioned, my Department does not hold a record of the the average wait time from start of application to the time a student receives the assistive technology applied for.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delays in assistive technology applications of nine months or longer in some cases; the reason application timelines vary between SENO geographic areas; her plans to ensure a more consistent approach and reduction in wait times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51959/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, 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 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.  

Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions. Professional reports (from psychologists or occupational therapists, for example) must be submitted by the school along with the application. These reports must have a recent and comprehensive professional assessment of the nature and extent of disability, and outline that the equipment is essential for the pupil to access the curriculum. 

Equipment may only be provided where medical and/or other professional reports outline that the degree of communicative disability is such that this equipment is essential to allow the pupil to access education and set out how the equipment will provide for this.  

SENOs will review the application and professional reports, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department’s officials will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making such recommendations, as set out in Circular 0010/2013.   

I have referred the question with regard to the variation in processing timelines across geographic areas to the NCSE for their direct reply.