Charles Ward
Question:460. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a child with autism (details supplied) will obtain an urgent NEPS report;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55093/25]
View answerTuesday, 14 October 2025
Questions (460)
Written answers
I thank Deputy Ward for his question regarding my department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the particular circumstances as detailed by the deputy.
In framing my answer, it may be helpful to briefly outline the work of NEPS.
Through NEPS, all schools have access to:
• a NEPS psychologist for general support and advice.
• support from a NEPS psychologist in the event of a Critical Incident.
• National and Regional Support and Development service for school staff, which is advertised through the Education Support Centres of Ireland and covers areas such as trauma informed practice, cluster group support for post-primary special education teachers and special class teachers, training for Student Support Teams and supporting reluctant school attendance/school avoidance behaviour.
• access to either a NEPS psychologist or a SCPA psychologist for individual pupil casework where a priority need is established. SCPA – the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments - is operated through the use of a panel of psychologists who must meet qualification criteria set by the Department. It is an interim measure intended to supplement the NEPS service and meet current urgent needs for psychological assessment of children and young people.
NEPS encourages all schools to use the Continuum of Support Model a continuum-based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for children and young people with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Under this model, a child or young person does not require a psychological assessment diagnosis in order to access additional support at school.
If a school has concerns that a child or young person is not making reasonable progress following evidence informed support and intervention, the school may prioritise the involvement of NEPS to support the identification of need process.
In relation to school transitions, it is important to note that the Department’s Circular 23/2025 for schools specifies that no new professional reports or recommendations will be required when a child/young person transitions from a special class of the same designation in another school.
The full Circular is available here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/2b0b72d0-00232025-.pdf
I have made enquiries with the local NEPS office in relation to the details supplied by the Deputy and, at present, the school has not requested NEPS involvement for the child in question. Where a parent has a concern regarding their child’s progress, they should, in the first instance, discuss with the school principal or the child's teacher. As a school based service, requests for NEPS involvement must be made by the school principal or other designated staff member.