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

This is based on the NCSE's advice in its guidance document from 2021 regarding health professionals reports. In the first place, the report must indicate whether a child has a specific diagnosis, and then there must be some understanding of the complexity of the child's needs, what placement would be appropriate and the rationale for it. That is the NCSE's advice in that regard. An updated assessment is required when a child transitions from primary school to post-primary school. This is something post-primary schools might look for in their admission policies as well. While there is some merit in providing new assessments and reviewing a child's needs on an ongoing basis, we do need to move away from parents having to pay for the reports privately. Deputy Collins mentioned that in her question.

We must also look at whether the reports are needed or whether a more continuous review of educational needs would be better. As it stands, there is the professional report and the admissions policy, and the details are shared in the transition process between schools at primary and post-primary levels to support the transition. A lot of those details might be taken from the student's support file. There is also the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, education passport, which provides a structured process for schools to share information to support the transition of pupils with special educational needs. It is not always used, but it can be used. Schools often prioritise the involvement of a NEPS psychologist as well to support the transition. I will update Deputy Collins on what we are doing when I next respond to her.

See this speech in context