Written answers
Thursday, 26 March 2026
Department of Children, Disability and Equality
Disabilities Assessments
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
402. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the recently revised assessment of need framework limits reduces access to cognitive assessment for children, including in cases where intellectual disability is not suspected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23131/26]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
403. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the revised assessment of need framework ensures that children with uneven developmental profiles, including those who may be gifted or twice-exceptional that is, children with both high ability and additional needs such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia, will be appropriately identified within the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23132/26]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
404. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has conducted any impact assessment on how the revised model may affect the identification of children whose needs are masked by high cognitive ability or compensatory functioning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23133/26]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
405. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the safeguards that are in place to prevent under-identification of children whose needs are masked by high cognitive ability or compensatory functioning, particularly in light of evidence that twice-exceptional children are already under-recognised within Irish education and disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23134/26]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
406. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if access to cognitive or psychological assessment remains available where there is evidence of significant intra-individual discrepancy, asynchronous development, or unexplained underachievement in children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23135/26]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
407. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether consideration has been given to the potential for increased reliance on private assessments arising from any restriction in public access to cognitive assessment, and the implications this may have for equity of access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23136/26]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
408. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the training or guidance being provided to assessment officers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure that complex presentations, including masking and twice-exceptionality, are recognised under the revised model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23137/26]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
409. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department intends to review the implementation of the revised assessment of need framework to ensure that no cohort of children is excluded from identification due to the streamlining of assessment processes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23138/26]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408 and 409 together.
The Assessment of Need process is intended to determine if a person has a disability, as described in the Disability Act 2005, and, if they do, their health and education needs (if any) and the health and education services required to meet those needs.
The proposed changes to the Disability Act will not change the definition of disability as set out in the Act, nor will they change the type or quality of clinical assessments available or the role of the Assessment Officer in establishing whether there is a disability as defined under the Disability Act.
The proposed improvements to the Assessment of Need (AON) process are designed to clarify processes, support and strengthen decision-making, and ensure greater consistency across HSE regions.
The HSE Assessments Officers will continue to have access to appropriate training and supports to ensure consistency, compliance with statutory obligations, and high-quality engagement with children and families. As well as induction and ongoing training, Assessment Officers have structured access to clinical expertise within relevant services such as Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) and Primary Care. This includes:
- Clinical consultation sessions to support decision making in complex cases.
- Access to discipline-specific clinicians for advice regarding assessment pathways, interpretation of clinical documentation, and onward referrals.
- Escalation routes to senior clinicians or Disability Managers where cases present with atypical or multifaceted needs.
- Peer support and supervision.
Families who have concerns regarding their child’s health or developmental needs should contact the HSE to access the appropriate services. HSE services work on a needs-led rather than diagnosis-led system and will work with families to develop an appropriate plan and supports for their children. For example, CDNTs follow best clinical practice when working with children and operate under the well-established philosophy of family-centred practice.
With regard to the wider legislative reforms, Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process in December 2025 which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment. These changes includes legislative reform and operational improvements to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the Assessment of Need process.
Under the proposed improvements to the Assessment of Need process there will be no change to a person’s right to apply for an Assessment of Need or to the statutory timeframe for processing an eligible Assessment of Need application, which is 6 months from the date it is received.
For families who have further concerns, the Department has published Frequently Asked Questions on the proposed legislative changes which in addition to the material above may be of assistance. These documents are available on the Department’s website under Publications: “Assessment of Needs Process and Proposed Changes” (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/from-subject-received-size-categories-aoife-carragher-dcde-fw-dcde-website-aon-1532-1-mb/).
With regard to the use of private clinical assessments, these are procured through the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative which focuses on those children and families who have been waiting longest for an Assessment of Need. The HSE and HSE-funded agencies ensure that the contracted providers are appropriately qualified and that any assessments or interventions are provided in line with the appropriate standards, appropriate procurement procedures, Garda vetting and due diligence practice.
Any privately commissioned reports for Assessment of Need are reviewed by an appropriately qualified HSE clinician at local level to ensure they meet adequate governance standards.
The Department will continue to work with the HSE towards supporting improved and more timely access to quality services and assessments for children and their families.
No comments