Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
530. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the criteria for assistive technology supports to ensure that children with Down syndrome are not excluded from eligibility, particularly in cases where the child cannot write their name and has clear educational need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14560/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra531. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the appeals process for assistive technology refusals to ensure transparency and fairness, particularly for children with complex needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14561/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra532. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports which are available for families of children with Down syndrome who require assistive technology but have been refused under current criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14562/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 530 to 532, inclusive, 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. This includes children with Down Syndrome and others who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum.
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. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum. It must also 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 NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to the department where assistive technology/ specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within the department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
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.
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.
SENOs will review the application and supporting professional reports to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my department as to whether the assistive technology is required or not. Based on this recommendation, my department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
Where assistive technology is not recommended, this decision is communicated to the school. It is open to the school to appeal this decision. The appeals process is outlined on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/237c68-assistive-technology-grant/. Any such appeal will be dealt with as a priority by my department. Separately, where an appeal has been unsuccessful, but new information becomes available, it is open to the school to submit a new application to the SENO for consideration.
Given the sensitive nature of the personal data submitted by schools as part of application process, and in line with obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), officials in my department do not have access to the professional reports provided nor is the category of disability made known. These reports remain with the local SENO. Accordingly, my department has no information to indicate that children with Down Syndrome have been excluded from eligibility.
Officials in my department are currently undertaking a review of the Assistive Technology Scheme, with one of the key goals being to streamline the application process. As part of the review, all aspects of the application and appeal processes will be examined to ensure that they are transparent and fair. The overarching aim is to ensure that children who require assistive technology to access the curriculum will receive their equipment in as expedited a manner as possible.
