Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
38. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress being made to create an alternative to the assessment of needs reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28204/26]
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). Assessment Officers working under the remit of the HSE are charged with organising the process which results in an Assessment of Need. The Assessment Officer coordinates and completes the Assessment Report and a determination is made as to whether or not a child or young person meets the definition of disability contained in the Act. Revisions to the AON process are a matter for the HSE in tandem with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
It is also important to note that while a diagnosis is currently required to access a special class or a special school, this does not have to be linked to an Assessment of Need.
