Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will publish the plan for the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5506/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students. To that end, we are committing, during the tenure of this Government, to the publication of a plan for the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 in order to prioritise access for children with special needs to an individual education plan. The priority will be to move to a system where necessary supports follow a child from primary to second level and to achieve greater integration of special needs-related services. Several sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act have already 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. As required under the Act, the NCSE provided a report making recommendations regarding the implementation of the legislation which suggested additional investment over a period of years of up to €235 million per annum across the education and health sectors. My Department's opinion is that the level of investment required would be greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report. In the light of the very difficult economic situation, and these significant costs, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. However, it is my intention to examine the legislation in order to prepare a plan to implement the Act in line with the programme for Government, subject to the serious financial constraints we have inherited from the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government. All parts of the legislation that have not been commenced to date will be considered during this process. Commencement of individual aspects of the legislation in isolation is difficult because of linkages across the various sections. Given the extent of the considerations required as well as requirements to consider a number of other priority policy areas in regard to the education of children with special educational needs, it is not possible at this point to advise a date for the publication of this plan.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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This issue was put on the long finger by the last Government and the Minister's reply, instead of offering succour, merely refers to resources. The delay in implementation may save money but it will affect the livelihood and prospects of children who will not be assessed and must go without resources. The last Government was subject to severe criticism on this matter. I ask the Minister to look at this again. The delay is saving money but it is also affecting the most vulnerable in society.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I appreciate the Deputy's remarks, and I should have congratulated him on his return to the House earlier. We must find ways to do more with less, that is where we are. If the Deputy has any suggestions in that regard, I would happily entertain them. We are in a new place and I would be misleading Deputy Crowe and every other Member of the House if I suggested otherwise.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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We will not get into a debate on default and the debt we face. I remember discussing the EPSEN Act in this House and the major worry expressed by all the groups that appeared before the then Committee on Education and Science was the resourcing of the system. The Minister at the time promised resources would be in place but we know that families are coming forward having faced the reality of the situation. The hope that existed for many families has disappeared because help still appears to be out of reach.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for his question, his comments and his good wishes. I recognise in the presence of Deputies Smith and McConalogue that the previous Government ring-fenced the education spend but we have a growing population, with 500,000 in the primary school sector at present and that figure could increase to 560,000 within a few years. We are running to stand still in terms of resources. I will look at individual cases but I do not want to mislead anyone about the current position.