Vol. 553 No. 6
51 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science when he intends to set up a national expert advice, oversight and provision service for special needs education; the specific functions of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14787/02]
Work on the establishment of a National Council for Special Education is at an advanced stage and it is my intention to bring this body into being by ministerial order under the terms of the Education Act, 1998. I have also indicated my intention to restore to the legislative process the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2002. This I will do in the autumn following the continuation of consultation with interested parties throughout the summer. This legislation will, when enacted, establish unequivocally that the special education needs of children must be met as a matter of legal right. The establishment of the National Council for Special Education will be central to translating these rights into reality on the ground.
This council will have two broad functions. First, it will be responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for children with special needs. In particular, the new council will have the capacity to co-ordinate special needs education provision at local level and arrange for the delivery of agreed educational services. This will be achieved through the employment of a network of special needs organisers who will act as a single point of contact for the parent of a special needs child with the clear and specific objective of delivering for that child those educational services to which he or she is entitled. Second, the council will be responsible for carrying out research and providing expert advice to my Department in relation to special education issues. The council will also be responsible for putting in place an independent appeals mechanism open to parents unhappy with the educational provision proposed for their child.
Has the Minister given any consideration to having teams of experts, comprising teachers, parents, remedial teachers, resource teachers and psychologists, working together to ensure that the council is properly focused and the child has access to all aspects of its services?
I expect that the council will take the approach outlined by the Deputy. At present, the special needs organisers have a role in bringing together the various services so that the full needs of children can be assessed. Once assessed there should be a single point of contact to respond to the needs. The delivery of services at local level is part of this. An aspect of the present difficulty is that my highly centralised Department is trying to provides services at a local level through local schools. There is a lack of overall co-ordination. Despite the worthwhile efforts of various officials in the Department, there is a need for a more local focus. Greater co-ordination is possible. Apart from the gaps in the service, there is probably a high degree of overlap. In view of this, the Deputy's suggestion will be part of the new arrangement.
I welcome the Minister's commitment to the establishment of the council, which will establish a range of programmes. Will he assure the House that he will secure the necessary resources to provide for what is one of the most neglected areas of education?
In 1998, the Government decided, during the term of office of my predecessor, that, following assessment, the provision of whatever education facilities for children with special needs was required would be almost automatic. That remains the policy. I have been in receipt of correspondence outlining the delays in some areas, nevertheless, it is the policy to try to provide for those with special needs almost immediately. This will be accelerated following the establishment of the national council, which will also provide a focus point. Much as the situation has improved over the years, the national council will ensure considerably greater improvement. It will have the funding to do that.
I welcome the imminent establishment of the council. Will the Minister indicate if it will be given carte blanche to make any relevant decisions that will ensure the provision of a better service for parents and those living with people with special needs, including those suffering from Asperger's syndrome, dyslexia, autism and attention deficit disorder? At present pupils are experiencing problems in getting a special reduced student rate for the use of a city speed bus, the No. 25X, to attend Catherine McAuley school for dyslexia in Baggot Street. Given the funding to be made available to the national council, how many local centres will it be allowed to establish?
The Minister indicated that he will reintroduce the persons with disabilities Bill. Will he assure the House that the valid comments on the Bill made before the general election by parents and those with disability will be given full consideration when it is reintroduced?
With regard to special needs, will the Minister indicate if NEPS will have its full complement of psychologists by the end of the year? Will he also consider the CABAS project in Cork with a view to making permanent what is at present a pilot project?
The CABAS project is receiving attention and I expect a final decision to be made in the near future. In response to an earlier question, I indicated the roll-out of psychologists under NEPS. I understand there will be a further 69 appointments before the end of the year, in addition to the current complement of 80. That is not a full and final roll-out.
Some 200 appointments were promised.
Further appointments will follow before the end of 2003.
A full roll-out was promised by the end of this year.
If Deputy Gogarty contacts me with details of the problem to which he referred, I will have it followed up. With regard to the reintroduction of the people with disabilities Bill, a consultation process is ongoing. I understand officials in my Department have received submissions from a variety of groups. A number of constructive suggestions for improvements to the Bill have already been made, some of which I understand we will be in a position to facilitate. When the Bill is restored to the Order Paper in the autumn, I will ensure that the amendments accepted by us will be published to enable those interested have a full picture of what is envisaged.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
