Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. She stated that, since yesterday, the NCSE will write to any school that needs an education assessment on the AON. In October, the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, AsIAm and other organisations such as Inclusion Ireland expressed concern about this process. AsIAm stated the Department of Education and its agencies require education assessments for various supports, including access to reasonable accommodation and exams. The Department has clearly defined in practice that an educational assessment is a process led by educational psychologists, not a principal compiling data already at his or her disposal. The INTO had significant concerns, including in respect of workload, lack of training, pressure on teachers and principals and the potential impact. Has the Minister of State held discussions with the INTO and AsIAm in respect of the process?

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