Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Deputy's point that NEPS is an important service and the Government needs to invest more, which is why there is a commitment to an increase in the resources within NEPS of 25%. On the other hand, there is a genuine debate about whether assessment is the best route to support children with needs. That is why NEPS works through a model that is not all about assessments, as I described in my answer to the question. There is a new model approach to resource teaching that would reduce the reliance on assessments. One problem with assessments, as I believe the Deputy indicated in her question, is there can be unequal access to them, and if they become the gateway, we might not be using the resources in the best way. This is an area in which the Government wishes to increase the resources but it also wishes to ensure it gets the best impact. Over time, the new model may be better for the school and the children and may represent better use of the resources of NEPS.

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