Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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477. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a special class (details supplied) is not being sanctioned by a SENO despite additional accommodation funding being awarded for the class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8408/22]

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

This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.

The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.

The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

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

Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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478. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made in relation to the provision of assisted technology to two siblings (details supplied) who attend a school in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8409/22]

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.

The Special Education section in my Department have not received any application for the named children.

My officials have contacted the SENO who is responsible for the Sligo area where the siblings mentioned are attending school, and she has confirmed that she has not received an application for Assistive Technology in respect of these pupils.

All schools have the contact details of their local SENO and parents are encouraged to discuss their Children's needs with the SENO whose contact details can be accessed at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.