Vol. 565 No. 2
39 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to publish the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill; the principal ways in which it will differ from the previous Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10206/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, I indicated my intention to widen the consultation process when the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill was restored to the legislative process and I encouraged all interested parties to participate in the ensuing consultative process.
I would like to inform the Deputy that as a result of this consultation process 39 groups and individuals responded to the invitation for submissions on the Bill and 25 groups met with officials of my Department for detailed discussions on their submissions. The new Bill will take into account the views which emerged from consultations with the various interest groups. This phase of consultation is now complete and I intend to bring the revised legislation to Government shortly with a view to publishing by May 2003. My objective is to bring forward legislation which will provide for the identification of the special educational needs of children with disabilities and the provision for them of an education appropriate to their needs as early as possible in their lives; which will provide for structural arrangements within which adults with special educational needs can have access to the education and related services and supports they require; which will ensure that parents have a central role in their child's education; and which will ensure that the various agencies involved in providing for special education and related support services are required to act within specified time limits.
I also propose that the legislation will build on and strengthen the structures set out in the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2002, especially the National Council for Special Education and the Special Education Appeals Board. It will also be an objective for revised legislation that it will closely dovetail where necessary with legislation being prepared by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform relating to the broader issue of services for people with disabilities.
