Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

I mentioned the appeal system in the question. I am led to understand from the main schools in Wexford concerned, Scoil Mhuire and St. Senan's, that the appeal system seems to have been taken away from them. They are expecting their review soon and it seems a little unfair that they will not get an opportunity to appeal it if they find it unreasonable.

This issue has been debated since the Government was formed and the Minister has heard most of the arguments previously. A number of parents rung me to say that, with the cuts that have been implemented to date, some children are unable to participate in mainstream classes because there are not enough SNAs to go around. They would argue that they are not being treated as equal to their peers and they are not being given quite the same chance to reach their potential in life.

I would also mention the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, EPSEN, Act 2004 with which I am sure the Minister is familiar. The parents argue that it would allow them to appeal to the National Council for Special Education. What is more, each child, under the EPSEN Act 2004, would have an individual education plan. Would the Minister outline the progress the Department has made to date on the commitment in the programme for Government to publish an updated implementation plan for the 2004 EPSEN Act?

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