Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
84. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he foresees the full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; and his plans to ensure the effective assessment and planning for students with special educational needs. [25457/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a significant number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special educational needs. In light of the difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of EPSEN. The National Council for Special Education had suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235 million per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act. My Department's view is that the level of investment required would now be greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report. Given the costs involved and current fiscal constraints, addressing this issue will be very challenging. I will consider how we can develop a plan to implement the objectives of the EPSEN Act to deliver improved educational outcomes for students with special needs. Last year, my Department asked the NCSE to provide policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs. This advice will guide the preparation of a plan on how aspects of EPSEN can be implemented, including the prioritising of access to children with special needs to an individual education plan.
The NCSE report on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Schools has now been published. Whereas the report recommends that the EPSEN Act be fully implemented as soon as possible, the report also states that the NCSE recognises that the current economic climate makes it unlikely that the Government will be able to implement this recommendation in the short to medium term. While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the NCSE has made a number of recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act. The NCSE report on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Schools is available on the NCSE website, www.ncse.ie. The recommendations in the Report will require indepth and detailed examination. I have asked my Department to carefully review the recommendations and report back to me on them. I am conscious that in making any changes to our supports for children with Special Educational Needs, we need to protect the gains we have made. Therefore, I would like to give an assurance that consultation will be a key aspect in the implementation of any of the report's recommendations.
