Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Educational assessments for children with learning difficulties is an area of concern. Many parents are forced to pay €1,200 to have their child assessed because the average school can only get one or two assessments through the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. It often falls on a school principal, and I was one myself and know all about it, who has to make the very difficult decision about which child in the school is top priority for an assessment. It does force parents to pay privately for assessments.

The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte raised this in May. I understand she said that parents would not have to pay for children’s assessments privately. I seek clarity on that. What is in place for those parents? Can parents be reimbursed and if so, how?

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