Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 2

Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

115 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in implementing the Stack reports regarding the establishment of a special education agency; the staffing complement required by the agency; if it will be established by statute or by Ministerial order; if it will be accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas; the way in which it relates to the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 with regard to educational entitlements for whose with special needs first legally recognised by the courts in the Donoghue Judgment; and the way in which this agency will operate in the context of the NEPS. [12274/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The planning group set up to review special education provision made a range of recommendations to ensure the most effective provision of a high quality co-ordinated service for students with disabilities.

The work of the planning group fed into the subsequent review by Mr. Sean Cromien of my Department's operations, systems and staffing needs. Mr. Cromien endorsed the views of the planning group.

The task force, which I established to prepare a blueprint for implementation of Mr. Cromien's recommendations, considered the proposals on special education as a priority. I am now considering their views and I expect to put proposals to Government shortly.