Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The members of the inaugural special education appeals board were appointed in April 2007. They are working to ensure that appropriate structures and processes will be in place once the relevant sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, which would allow appeals to be undertaken, are commenced. This is important work that must take place before the new entitlement of recourse to an independent appeal process can be commenced.

It is expected, for example, that many of the appeals will relate to the content of the individual education plans, IEPs, that children will be entitled to under the Act. It is essential, therefore, that schools are given time to prepare for the introduction of a right to an IEP before appeals relating to the plans can be heard. Let me make it clear, the introduction of an independent appeals process is already in train. However, it is being put in place in a sensible and planned way in the interests of a smooth transition to the new arrangements that will benefit children with special needs and their families. In the meantime, parents may appeal allocations and supports through the National Council for Special Education.

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