Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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491. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will introduce a scheme to provide grant assistance for the replacement of old desks in existing classes, for children with an autism diagnosis, with modern height-adjustable desks, given that it is not realistic to obtain a timely report from an occupational therapist from the HSE for each individual child in these classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56576/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Furniture & Equipment Scheme within My Department provides for new specialised furniture and equipment as appropriate. Due to the specialised nature of this furniture and equipment My Department cannot give approval for a general list of items, as each child has individual requirements. Therefore it is essential that the school to which the deputy refers obtains a report from an Occupational Therapist (OT) from the HSE for each individual child, to assess their specific needs. While I appreciate that this may take more time it is important that each child receives an individual assessment as their needs may vary and an OT report will identify any additional furniture or equipment that some children may require above and beyond the new desks referred to in this instance.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Furniture & Equipment Scheme to which the Deputy refers provides for new specialised furniture and equipment as appropriate. Due to the specialised nature of this furniture and equipment My Department cannot give approval for a general list of items, as each child has individual requirements. Therefore it is essential that the school to which the deputy refers obtains a report from an Occupational Therapist (OT) from the HSE for each individual child, to assess their specific needs. While I appreciate that this may take more time it is important that each child receives an individual assessment as their needs may vary and an OT report will identify any additional furniture or equipment that some children may require above and beyond the new desks referred to in this instance.