Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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885. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if within her internal budgetary process she has identified a need to increase funding for ICT equipment, to assist pupils with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45993/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The Assistive Technology Scheme supplements the overall funding provided to schools for digital technology and equipment. It supports children who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum. Assistive technology is a critical enabler for students with special educational needs, allowing them to benefit fully from a modern, technology-focused education system.

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.

This equipment is intended for children with complex disabilities who need essential specialist tools that are not already available or cannot be provided through the school's existing IT resources or normal school resources or funds.

An additional €2 million funding was secured in Budget 2023 for the Assistive Technology 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.

A review of the Assistive Technology Scheme is currently ongoing. As part of the review, the scheme will move from a diagnosed-based system to a needs-based child-centric system, which is line with Department policy.

The Special Education Section is currently finalising the review of the Assistive Technology Scheme which will culminate in the publication of a new circular and the launch of an updated online application process. A key objective of the review is to streamline the application process. This will be achieved through the implementation of a new portal for schools to submit applications, as well as a review of the eligibility criteria. The department aims to shift the scheme from a diagnosis-based approach to a needs-based approach, granting schools greater autonomy in determining whether a child requires assistive technology to access the curriculum.

Ultimately, any child who needs assistive technology to access the curriculum will receive it under this scheme.

Promoting the use of assistive technologies is part of the current Programme for Government and the review of current assistive technology scheme in the department has been a key Ministerial priority so that children can obtain the technology they need to access the curriculum when they need it.