Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 102:

In page 12, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following:

"(2) The preparation of an education plan under this section shall commence not later than 1 month from the direction concerned referred to in subsection (1) being given and be completed without undue delay and, in any case, not later than 2 months from its being commenced.".

Unlike school-based education plans, which must be prepared within one month of completion of the assessment, council or health board plans are not time-bound and, having looked at this again, I agree with the Deputies that raised the matter that a time limitation should be included here. However, it must be recognised that such plans must accommodate children with more complex needs. They are not quite the same as the school plans. That will inevitably take more time. I proposed a dual time limit of one month in which to commence the plan and a further two months for its completion. That should meet all reasonable needs. However, when we talk about council or health board plans, we are talking about children with more complex needs.

See this speech in context