Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
538 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 that are in operation; the timescale for bringing into force other sections of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22354/04]
View answerThe Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 was enacted on 19 July and to date no commencement orders have been made.
One of the key provisions of the Act is the establishment of the National Council for Special Education. The council already exists on an interim basis as a body established by order under section 54 of the Education Act 1998. It is preparing, in consultation with my Department, to take up its range of functions under the Act. It has an administrative staff of 16 and has recently appointed 70 special educational needs organisers who are currently undergoing training.
The Act provides, except in respect of sections 19 to 21, that the National Council for Special Education will prepare an implementation report which will, among other things, advise me on appropriate dates for the commencement of the Act. The council will report to me within one year of its establishment under the Act and the implementation report will provide for the full commencement and implementation of the Act within five years of the establishment day. While I have not yet determined a date for the establishment day I am required by the Act to ensure that that happens within one year of its enactment.
Until I have received the implementation report of the council it would not be proper for me to comment further on the commencement.
