Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
96. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm whether National Educational Psychological Service is aware of a student (details supplied); and the pathway through which the student can access an assessment from the service given one is required [28848/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAssessments are only one aspect of the NEPS service and it is important to note that children and young people do not require a psychological assessment or a diagnosis in order to access additional support at school. NEPS encourages schools to support children and young people using the Continuum of Support, whereby school staff use a problem-solving approach employing evidence-informed interventions for children and young people experiencing difficulties in the school context. The response to intervention is then monitored and recorded in the Student Support File. The teachers, parents and child are involved in this process. This model means that a child or young person does not need a diagnosis of a disability in order to access additional supports in school.
If a school has concerns that a child or young person is not making reasonable progress following evidence informed support and intervention, the school may prioritise the involvement of NEPS to support the identification of need process. Where a school temporarily does not have an assigned psychologist due to a vacancy (as is the case in the school cited in this case), it continues to have access to a range of NEPS services including the NEPS Advisory Support Line. The advisory line provides access for schools to support and advice from a Senior Educational Psychologist in NEPS via a designated phone line. NEPS currently does not have a referral for the child referred to.
