Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
117. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a situation (details supplied) which has arisen in a number of schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22782/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my department to supplement the overall approach to funding schools for digital technology and equipment to support children in their education.
As outlined in Circular 0010/2013, the purpose of the Assistive Technology Scheme is to provide grant aid to schools to enable them to purchase essential specialist equipment in circumstances where the existing equipment available within the school is insufficient to meet the child’s needs, without unduly depriving other children of access, and where the absence of such equipment would prevent the child from accessing the curriculum.
I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the department has not received any applications for the Assistive Technology Scheme from the school concerned. Consequently, department officials have reached out to the school to provide guidance on this matter.
The Special Education Section of the department is currently finalising a review of the Assistive Technology Scheme. It is intended that this review will culminate in the publication of a new circular and the launch of an updated online application process.
A key objective of the review will be to streamline the application process. This will be achieved through the implementation of a new portal for schools to submit applications, alongside a review of the eligibility criteria. The department intends to move the scheme from a diagnosis-based approach to a more needs-based approach, thereby granting schools greater autonomy in determining whether a child requires assistive technology to access the curriculum.
