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Refusal to provide an assistive technology grant to a child by the Department of Education and Skills

An investigation was initiated in August 2010 by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office based on a complaint, brought by the mother of an 11-year-old child, regarding the refusal by the Department of Education and Skills (from this point referred to as the Department) to provide an assistive technology grant in respect of her son under the Assistive Technology Scheme.

The complainant explained that the application for assistive technology, specifically a lap top and appropriate software with an estimated cost of €1000, had been turned down on the basis that there was no clear diagnosis made in respect of her son’s medical difficulties.