Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I recall when this House debated the then Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2004. At that time, Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Green Party believed it did not go far enough. However, the Minister at the time, Deputy Dempsey, was clear that he wanted legislation that was achievable within a particular timeframe. EPSEN was at that time seen as a massive breakthrough for children with special educational needs. Unfortunately, it has been a huge disappointment to the children, families and schools involved. It has not lived up to the expectations created at the time.

In my view, based on my experience of meeting families with children with special educational needs, part of the problem is a lack of progress in regard to the provision of the multi-disciplinary approach, one of the fundamentals of the EPSEN Act which provides that the health and education services, schools and families come together to discuss what is needed for a particular child following which the services are provided. However, this has never happened. I have yet to meet a family who have had a full multi-disciplinary meeting with all of the relevant people dealing with their child. I do not believe that is happening.

The removal of special needs assistants from a number of children has added to the difficulties. Again, I have rarely met a parent who wants his or her child to have a special needs assistant if he or she does not need one. No parent wants their child to have a special needs assistant in the classroom unless he or she really needs one. The quick withdrawal of SNAs has caused immense difficulty for many children.

I disagree with those who have welcomed the announcement in respect of NEPS. I continue to encounter people facing huge difficulties obtaining NEPS assessments. I am also encountering difficulty having special education needs organisers, SENOs, recognise private assessments, for which families have often borrowed money. I again want to reiterate the point that no independent appeals system exists. I know of one SENO who was sent out to review the decision of another SENO, both of whom work in the same office and are the only people working in that office. This cannot possibly be an independent system. That is the reality of the situation.

I want also to make the point that I firmly believe SENOs should have to respond to representations from public representatives.

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