Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
249. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the recently revised assessment of need framework limits or reduces access to cognitive assessment for children, including in cases where intellectual disability is not suspected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23167/26]
View answer250. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the recently revised assessment of need ensures that children with uneven developmental profiles, including those who may be gifted or twice-exceptional that is, children with both high ability and additional needs such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia, will be appropriately identified within the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23168/26]
View answer251. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has conducted any impact assessment on how the revised assessment of need model may affect the identification of children whose needs are masked by high cognitive ability or compensatory functioning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23169/26]
View answer252. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth if access to cognitive or psychological assessment remains available where there is evidence of significant intra-individual discrepancy, asynchronous development, or unexplained underachievement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23170/26]
View answer253. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth the training or guidance is being provided to assessment officers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure that complex presentations, including masking and twice-exceptionality, are recognised under the revised model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23171/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 249, 250, 251, 252 and 253 together.
The Assessment of Need process is under the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Questions in relation to the revised Assessment of Need process should be directed to colleagues in that Department.
