A number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act have been commenced, including those establishing the National Council for Special Education and those promoting an inclusive approach to education of children. The NCSE had suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act. My Department's opinion was that the level of investment required across both sectors could be greater. However, an up to date quantification of the amount required has not been undertaken. In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved in fully implementing the EPSEN Act, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of EPSEN.
It is intended to bring into effect many of the good ideas contained in the EPSEN Act, on a non-statutory basis initially, through policy developments across a range of areas, in conjunction with NCSE policy advice.