Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for assistive technology for students with special educational needs received by the National Council for Special Education since the inception of the scheme by county; the number of these applications that have been successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57647/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my Department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum.

It is vital that all learners have the opportunity to reach their potential, with digital technologies providing the means to overcome traditional barriers to learning, and to support inclusion across education.

Additional €2 million funding was secured in Budget 2023 for this scheme. This represents an increase of almost 60% on funding allocated previously to this essential support. This increased allocation supports my Department’s commitment to ensure that a full range of resources, not just teachers and SNAs, are available to support children who most need it.

The Assistive Technology Scheme is currently being reviewed by my Department to ensure that it is still working for these children and that the resources are allocated appropriately and support other Department ICT funding as efficiently as possible. The review in ongoing and is expected to complete by mid-2023. As I have mentioned, this scheme is part of an overall approach. Last April, my Department announced the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and associated grant funding for all recognised primary and post-primary schools for digital technology infrastructure.

This strategy will advance the embedding of digital technologies across teaching, learning and assessment, building on the work under previous strategies. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully.

As part of this strategy an ICT Grant will be provided to schools, with €200 million committed over the period of the Strategy, €50m of which has already been provided to schools. This approach facilitates multi-annual planning by schools to allow them to plan effectively for all of their children.

The information the Deputy has requested is currently being collated by officials in my Department and will be sent to the Deputy directly upon completion.