Firstly I wish to advise the Deputy that the Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for Audiology services including screening of children for hearing problems. The Deputy may wish to contact my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children or the HSE directly relating to his query in this regard.
The EPSEN and Disability Acts set out clearly the role and functions of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the HSE and their staff in carrying out assessments and with regard to the provision of services for children with special educational needs.
My Department, either directly or through the NCSE, provides for a range of supports in schools to enable them to cater for students with special educational needs, including pupils who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education. These supports may include additional Resource Teachers, Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and specialist equipment, depending on a child's level of assessed needs.
Assessment reports carried out by relevant professionals are provided by schools to the SENOs as part of the application process for support. The consideration of these reports is an integral part of determining the extent of supports to be provided for pupils with special educational needs. However, whereas health reports provide valuable assistance to education providers in identifying a diagnosis or identifying appropriate interventions, health staff are asked not to include references to the specific quantum of educational resources in their reports, but should state the outcome of tests carried out and the range of needs of the child as clearly as possible.
The NCSE circular 03/08 clarifies the respective roles and functions of the NCSE and the HSE and their respective personnel in carrying out assessments and sanctioning resources to support children with special educational needs. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
