Vol. 572 No. 6
224 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends that dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD be included in the definition of educational disability in the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24109/03]
The purpose of the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill is to provide a statutory framework within which the education of children who have special educational needs can be guaranteed as a right enforceable in law. The definition of disability in section 1 is intentionally broad in order to be inclusive and I wish to assure the Deputy that children with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD will enjoy the protections conferred by the Bill once it becomes law.
225 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the extra resources that will be made available and that will be required to enable the implementation of the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24110/03]
The Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003 imposes a statutory duty on the Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Health and Children to make resources available to schools for the provision of adequate and appropriate education to children with special educational needs. These resources are voted to the individual Departments by the Oireachtas which is the normal procedure governing public finances and expenditure by Departments. In making policy determinations, the general principal applying is that there is equitable treatment of all children in resource decision allocations. It is the objective of the Bill that it will lead to the creation of an education system which gives to children with disabilities the same opportunity for development through education as is given to children who do not have disabilities.
