Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
82. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether 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. [22563/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra83. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the revised assessment of need framework ensures that children with uneven developmental profiles, including those who may be gifted or twice-exceptional (details supplied) will be appropriately identified within the system; whether her Department has conducted any impact assessment on the way in which the revised model may affect the identification of children whose needs are masked by high cognitive ability or compensatory functioning; the safeguards in place to prevent under-identification of such children, particularly in light of evidence that twice-exceptional children are already under-recognised within Irish education and disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22565/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration has been given to the potential for increased reliance on private assessments arising from any restriction in public access to cognitive assessment; the implications this may have for equity of access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22569/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra86. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the training or guidance 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. [22571/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Departments plans to review the implementation of the revised assessment of need framework to ensure that no cohort of children is excluded from identification due to the streamlining of assessment processes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22573/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 83, 85, 86 and 87 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.
