James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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307. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline her Department's plan to add an autism class to a primary school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27236/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.

The NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I have forwarded this issue to them for their attention and direct reply.

Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.

The NCSE actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing their interest. However, it is not always possible to open a special class in every school that expresses an interest.

When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies or capacity and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.

A particular focus has been placed on medium and larger primary schools (at least 8 teachers) with available accommodation and no existing special class to open a new special class for the 2025/26 school year. This ensures that classes can open quickly as existing accommodation can be reconfigured in a more streamlined and efficient manner but also that new provision is established in as many schools as possible. This provides parents more options when deciding which schools to apply to and ensures that provision continues to grow in a diverse number of schools across regions. This should also help in reducing the distances that some children are travelling to access a special class place.

This focus will remain when planning for new provision for the 2026/27 school year.

However, as in other years where schools have no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and there is known demand in a local area, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.

Schools who have expressed an interest in opening a special class for the 2025/26 school year but have not received sanction will remain as potential options for future special classes.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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308. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to increase the maximum allocation capped at €550 for ICT grants for special educational students. [27237/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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309. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that submissions made to her Department including quotes and Seno recommendations often face wait times of 8-9 months before approval is provided for the ICT grants for schools; and if she will commit to setting a cap of a maximum four months to receive a response from the department regarding ICT grants. [27238/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allow schools to be invoiced for ICT supplies by companies rather than provide receipts to the department to get reimbursed." [27239/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 309 and 310 together.

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. It must be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.

The Assistive Technology Scheme, provided by my department, supplements the overall funding approach for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum. For children with more complex disabilities who require such equipment to access the school curriculum, which they do not already have or which cannot be provided for them through the schools' existing provisions, schools can apply for this equipment under the terms of the Assistive Technology Scheme.

To do this, schools make applications directly to their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (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.

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 to allow the student to access the curriculum.

SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, 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.

My department has received a large volume of Assistive technology applications that are currently being processed. There has been a large increase in applications for Assistive Technology over the last number of years, with approximately double the amount of equipment being sanctioned in 2023 compared to 2018.

The Special Education section is currently reviewing the Assistive Technology Scheme, with one of the key goals being to streamline the application process.

My department would like to reassure the deputy that applications for equipment for students with hearing and/or visual impairments have been prioritised and there is currently no delay in the processing these applications. Sixth class pupils are also being prioritised to ensure that equipment is in place to assist with their transition to post-primary school. All other applications will be processed in accordance with the date that recommendations are received in the Department by the SENO.

The €550 cap refers to the maximum funding allocated for a standard laptop under the Assistive Technology Scheme. This cap does not represent the total grant available to schools through the Assistive Technology Scheme. Instead, it specifies the amount considered sufficient to purchase a standard laptop. Schools may receive additional funding for other assistive technologies based on their students’ specific needs. This ensures that students have access to the necessary tools to access the curriculum.

Currently, schools are required to submit receipts and a claim form after purchasing equipment to claim funds associated with Assistive Technology applications. As part of the ongoing review of the Assistive Technology scheme, all aspects of the application process are being examined. This includes the refund process, where consideration is being given to providing funds to schools in advance of equipment purchases. Not only will this change aim to streamline the application process but it will expedite the time in which children who require assistive technology receive their equipment.