Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 January 2015
761. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 477 of 18 November 2014, if she will engage directly with the counselling division of the Psychological Society of Ireland and meet directly with a person (details supplied) to discuss the response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49536/14]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs.
This responsibility includes planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs. Each SENO works in an assigned local area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs.
Relevant professional assessment reports are provided by schools to 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.
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.
The matter which has been raised by the Deputy is currently being considered by the NCSE, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and my Department, who in considering this matter will also consider whether it would be useful for them to meet with representatives from the Counselling Division of the Psychological Society of Ireland, to further discuss this matter.
