Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Questions (673, 674)

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

743 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if, having regard to the recommendation at paragraph 436 of the second shadow report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, published by the Children’s Rights Alliance, she will review the omission of her ministry from the list of Ministers obliged by section 31 of the Disability Act 2005 to draw up a sectorial plan; if such a review will take place earlier than the five year deadline provided for by section 6 of that Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9765/07]

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

808 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science her views having regard to the recommendation at paragraph 436 of the second shadow report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, published by the Children’s Rights Alliance, on whether her omission from the list of Ministers obliged by section 31 of the Disability Act 2005 to draw up a sectorial plan should be reviewed; if, pending such a review and amendment to the Act, she will draw up such a plan on a non-statutory basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9766/07]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 743 and 808 together.

My Department is not required to produce a sectoral plan as the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 (EPSEN Act) specifically deals with the education sector.

The National Council for Special Education recently submitted its implementation report which sets out its views and recommendations on a plan for the implementation of the EPSEN Act over a period of 5 years and this is currently being considered by my Department.