Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
184. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way special educational needs organisers who are neither medical nor educational professionals can adjudicate on the veracity or otherwise of such professionals' recommendations as to the needs of children (details supplied). [23357/16]
View answerResponsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual students with special educational needs, rests with the National Council for Special Education, in accordance with my Department's policy.
The consideration of professional reports is an integral part of determining the extent of supports to be provided for pupils with special educational needs.
Whereas health reports provide valuable assistance to education providers in identifying a diagnosis or identifying appropriate interventions, health staff are directed by the HSE not to include recommendations relating to the specific quantum of educational resources in their reports, but should state the outcome of assessments carried out and the range of needs of the child as clearly as possible.
While a medical or relevant professional report can indicate the special educational and care needs that a child may have, the Health professional will not have knowledge or awareness of the current resources available to a school to cater for these needs. Nor will they generally be aware of the layout of the school, or have had an opportunity to observe the child in class or observe their interaction with their teachers and classmates on an ongoing basis.
Special Education Needs Organisers do not adjudicate on the veracity of recommendations as to the needs of children. Where they encounter recommendations relating to the quantum of supports to be provided to schools they will disregard such recommendations. They will rely upon the professional judgment of the diagnosing professional as to the needs of the child and the diagnosis of the child's disability or identified care need.
The NCSE can also consult with other professionals such as my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and will allocate a level of special educational support to a school to ensure that the school has sufficient resources to cater for the significant needs of the relevant children who are enrolled in the school.
