Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
438. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education if a person (details supplied) can get assisted technology and an SNA, following recommendation by the occupational therapist after assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15824/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis 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.
Special need assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the children enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The NCSE will shortly publish SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year. If a school feels like it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students an application can be submitted to the NCSE requesting a review of its allocation. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.
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 and is a critical enabler for those with special educational needs to gain the maximum benefit from a modern technologically focused education system.
Where children with more complex disabilities require essential specialist 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 may make an application for such equipment to the NCSE under the terms of this scheme.
Schools make applications directly to the NCSE, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
In order 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 in order to allow the student to access the curriculum.
A review of the scheme is currently undergoing. It is expected that the scheme will transition from a diagnosed-based system to a needs-based, child-centric system, better aligning with departmental policy. The review is expected to be completed this year with another key goal of this review being to streamline the application process.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
