120. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to ensure that children awaiting an assessment of need or formal diagnosis are not disadvantaged when seeking access to special education supports or placements; and if her Department intends to review the eligibility criteria for special classes. [74756/26]

This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.

The Department of Education and Youth is committed to an education-based, needs-led approach to accessing education services. Children and young people in the education system have never required an Assessment of Need (AON) in order to access education supports. Since 2017, children and young people in mainstream schools have not required a diagnosis to access supports from the 15,000 special education teachers in our school system. The department has also removed the need for health-related information for special education teaching allocations, transitions between primary and post-primary special classes, assistive technology supports, and additional SNA requirements. A diagnosis is currently still required for access to a special school or class place.

Looking ahead, the department is examining how best to ensure equitable and appropriate access to educational provision and supports for children and young people with special educational needs. This work remains at an early stage of development. Any proposals that may emerge will be informed by extensive engagement with education stakeholders, advocacy organisations and disabled persons organisations to ensure that a broad range of perspectives is considered before decisions are made. Ongoing stakeholder consultation will remain central to the development of this work. The department’s overarching objective is to secure the best possible outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs. The department is committed to advancing this objective through a structured, evidence-informed and collaborative approach.

The Assessment of Need (AON) process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005 and is under the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to achieve their full potential.