Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
499. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the case of a child (details supplied) who is at risk of losing their school place due to the absence of a current psychological assessment required for special school applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37131/26]
View answer500. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department will take to ensure that a child cannot be left without a school placement because a public psychological assessment has not been provided (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37132/26]
View answer501. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will intervene in cases where a Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) has confirmed eligibility for a special school placement, but the child (details supplied) cannot apply due to the absence of a psychological report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37133/26]
View answer502. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason parents are required to obtain private psychological assessments in order to access special school placements where the State has failed to provide assessments through public disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37134/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 499, 500, 501 and 502 together.
Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
The Department of Education and Youth is committed to an education-based, needs-led approach to accessing education services. Children and young people in the education system have never required an Assessment of Need (AON) in order to access education supports. Since 2017, children and young people in mainstream schools have not required a diagnosis to access supports from the 15,000 special education teachers in our school system. The department has also removed the need for health-related information for special education teaching allocations, transitions between primary and post-primary special classes, assistive technology supports, and additional SNA requirements. A diagnosis is currently still required for access to a special school or class place.
Looking ahead, the department will develop a process for determining eligibility for specialist education settings that is education-based and needs-led. The department intends to work with all concerned to ensure a child centred approach.
Each school prepares and publishes their own admissions policy and runs their own admissions process in line with the Admissions Act. Individual schools will determine the outcome of applications received by them in accordance with their own admissions policy and procedures.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.
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 achieve their full potential.
