Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. As he is aware, the AON process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005. Assessment officers under the remit of the HSE are charged with organising the AON. The Deputy will be aware of a court ruling in October 2021, which created an legal obligation on the education system to assist the HSE as part of the HSE’s AON process. That refers only to the educational component, as distinct from anything else.

The Department engaged with unions, management bodies and other stakeholders regarding the AON process and how it applies to schools. The Deputy will be aware that the Department and NCSE worked with a number of schools in June - I understand 17 were involved - on a draft of the documents required by schools to complete the education component of the AON. Feedback from the schools on the trial process informed the development of the form and guidance to be used in the process. Feedback arising from engagement with the schools was provided to stakeholders in September.

The Department of Education and NCSE have put in place a suite of supports to assist schools in completing the educational component of the HSE’s AON process. These include: detailed guidance; a short video for use by schools setting out how to comply with the process; email support; and a dedicated phone support line.

On Thursday, 27 October, the Department and NCSE met stakeholders and partners in education. The purpose of the meeting was to address the issues and concerns which have arisen in schools around the AON process and to work to resolve these issues. I understand progress was made and clarity was provided on a number of issues raised by the stakeholders.

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