Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

451. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications received for assisted technology for students in primary school in each of the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive; the number which were successful; the average length of time the process took; the budget allocated to this specific assistance scheme; the funding allocated to each school in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10873/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

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.

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, however. Such equipment is normally provided for children with disabilities by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

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.

An appeal can be made against a refusal to provide an assistive technology grant to a school on the grounds that it does not fulfil the criteria set out in this circular, or an appeal can be made against the refusal of the Department to sanction equipment recommended by an NCSE SENO, to sanction part of the recommendation, or to sanction an alternative form of equipment other than that recommended in a professional report.

The appeals process is outlined on the Department’s website gov.ie/en/form/e583f8-assistive-technology-appeal-by-school-form/.

Where there is a lack of clarity with regard to the appropriateness or requirement for the provision of equipment applied for, the Department may seek the advice of the National Centre for Technology in Education, National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), the Special Education Support Service or the Departments Inspectorate Division.

If new information becomes available, it is open to the school to submit a new application to the SENO for consideration.

It is also open to parents to contact SENOs directly to discuss their child’s special educational needs, using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/seno-contact-list.

A review of the assistive technology scheme and circular has begun this year and a working group has been established to progress this review.

My Department does not hold a record of the average wait time from start of application to the time a student receives their assistive technology, however I can confirm that 791 applications have been received via the NCSE since January 2022 and there is currently no backlog.

Expenditure 2017-2021