Pádraig Rice
Ceist:74. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth to address matters raised in correspondence (detailed supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6834/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 28 January 2026
Ceisteanna (74)
Freagraí scríofa
Circular 0069-2025_Assessment_of_Need issued in October 2025 and the purpose of this Circular is to inform schools of developments on foot of recent court cases relating to the AON process.
The Department of Education and Youth is satisfied that teachers are suitably qualified to assist in the AON process due to their expertise and professional judgement, and this position has been upheld in recent High Court judgments, therefore they are persons with ‘appropriate expertise’ to be nominated by the NCSE, as appropriate, to assist the HSE in the AON process.
One of the functions of a school, as detailed in the Education Act (1998), is to ensure that the education needs of all children/young people, including those with a disability or other special educational needs, are identified and provided for. Further, the EPSEN Act (2004) requires schools to cooperate with the NCSE in the performance by the Council of its functions. Therefore, the nominated person should complete the Report of Education Needs when requested by the NCSE to do so.
It is acknowledged that there may be legitimate reasons or circumstances where a nominated person may not be in a position to complete the form or may only be able to part-complete a Report of Education Needs. Examples of these circumstances are provided in Circular 0069-2025_Assessment_of_Need_ Appendix 1 for illustrative purposes.
The NCSE will continue to provide comprehensive guidance and support to schools to assist them in this process. Details of the guidance can be found on the NCSE website.