Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy's question refers to the allocation of resource teachers.

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, identified that the current model for allocating resource teachers to schools is potentially inequitable because access to professional assessments is not always readily available to those who cannot afford to access them privately. The proposed new model currently being piloted will remove the formal requirement for such assessments.

In September, my officials had a very positive meeting with the participating schools and through ongoing engagements I expect the pilot to be successfully concluded. The pilot will test the new model and will allow for any concerns to be fully addressed prior to implementation of the new model.

The National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, does not maintain waiting lists for assessment but, in consultation with schools, prioritises children who have failed to make adequate progress despite an appropriate continuum of support being delivered for those children.

See this speech in context