Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2024
74. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the funding options available to schools to install sensory rooms and purchase sensory equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27467/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA sensory room in a school can enhance and promote the health and well-being of the whole school with a focus on both the culture and the environment. It is a designated area within a school that can support a student’s sensory preferences and needs and provide students with the individualised sensory input they need to self-regulate to be better prepared for learning and interacting with others.
Funding of €7,000 is made available by my Department's Loose Furniture & Equipment (F&E) Section for the provision of the start-up of a sensory room within a school. To be eligible for the grant, the school must demonstrate it has an NCSE approved ASD class and that there is a suitable room to house the sensory room (i.e. drawings of the school layout with the sensory room and ASD class clearly marked). The sensory room must be a separate room from that of the ASD class and must have its own separate entry/exit. Only one sensory room grant is funded by my Department per school. It is intended that this funding can also be used for the purchase of sensory equipment.
In addition to this, my Department also funds the purchase of specialised furniture and equipment for children with special educational needs. Given the individualised nature of the requirements for children with special educational needs, this funding is provided on an application basis accompanied by an Occupational Therapist's report and recommendation.
