Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
191. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement with her Department and other Departments to ensure that assessment of needs reports are not required for school placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70259/25]
View answerThe Assessment of Need (AON) process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005 and is under the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE).
It is important to note that children and young people in mainstream schools do not require an AON or a diagnosis of disability to access mainstream supports from the 15,000 special education teachers in our school system. The Department has removed the need for health-related information to support special education teaching allocation (SET), to transition from a primary to post primary special class, for assistive technology supports and/or for additional SNA requirements.
There has been a very significant growth in demand for special school and special class places in recent years. This has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of children and young people enrolled in special classes and the opening of 16 new special schools.
There is evidence that, in areas where disability services are unable to meet the full range of needs of children and young people, such as for early intervention, therapy supports and/or respite, many families are choosing to apply to all local services, regardless of whether this is the appropriate route for provision for their child. In these circumstances, provision of education services is viewed by some, as being a driver for the AON process with families seeking an AON to secure a diagnosis, which is currently required to access a special school/class placement.
Additionally, while a diagnosis is currently required to access a special class or a special school, this does not have to be linked to an AON
The Department is committed to the progressive realisation of an inclusive education system that embraces and welcomes diversity; one which aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and with policy advice on inclusive education published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
Question No. 192 answered with Question No. 131.
