Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
517. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth her long-term plans for special classes and special school provision in light of recent proposed changes to the assessment of need process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72507/25]
View answer518. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the additional responsibilities teachers and/or SNAs will be expected to take on as part of the proposed changes to the assessment of need process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72508/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 517 and 518 together.
The 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 of Education and Youth will bring forward a proposal through a Memorandum for Government early in 2026 to agree a process which is intended to result in the removal of the requirement for professional reports, such as Assessment of Need reports, from entry requirements for special schools and special classes and the adoption of a needs-based approach, subject to the availability of necessary resources.
There will be a comprehensive consultation process with the full range of education stakeholders and advocacy groups in respect of this proposed measure.
The AON process as it applies to schools and as outlined in DEY Circular 0069/2025 will remain in place. For clarity, there is no change to the AON process as it applies in schools.
