Louis O'Hara
Question:237. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional support can be provided to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72776/25]
View answerWednesday, 17 December 2025
Questions (237)
Written answers
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
In relation to the school's allocation of special needs assistant (SNA) support, as the matter raised relates to a NCSE process, I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.
In relation to a NEPS psychological assessment, it is important to note that a psychological assessment or diagnosis is not required in order to access additional support at school. Through NEPS, all schools have access to:
• General support and advice from a NEPS psychologist, either through the school’s assigned psychologist or through the NEPS Advisory Support Line. The NEPS Advisory Support line provides access for schools to support and advice from a Senior Educational Psychologist in NEPS via a designated phone line available from Monday to Friday.
• 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 supports schools in implementing the Continuum of Support framework with each school taking responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and supports for children and young people with special educational needs.
Under this model, a child or young person does not require a psychological assessment diagnosis in order to access additional support at school. This Continuum of Support framework recognises that children require different levels of support depending on their identified educational needs, and that needs may change over time.
If a parent has concerns that their child is not making reasonable progress following support and intervention, they should engage with the school principal.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.