Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
800. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on allowing principals or teachers to advocate for children to receive an assessment of needs, where appropriate, and with parental consent. [11755/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy the position of my Department in relation to the Assessment of Need process under the Disability Act 2005, is set out in my Departments Circular 0020/2011.
This Circular notes that where a child under the age of 5 presents as having learning and or behavioural emotional or social difficulties in school, teachers should follow the approach to assessment and intervention outlined in the NEPS Continuum of Support Guidelines to address those needs in the first instance.
Applications for assessment of need under the Act should be made by the parent or guardian.
In cases where a child under the age of 5 years appears to have a disability as set out above, and has not been assessed under the Act, the principal may inform the parents of the assessment of need process. Information leaflets for parents are available from HSE Local Health Offices, in GP clinics and HSE local health centres. Information is also available on the HSE website.
Principals should be aware, however, that it is not appropriate for them to refer a child for assessment of need under the Disability Act as this process may only be initiated by a parent or guardian.
