Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

At present, all schools are encouraged to use education plans. The departmental inspectorate's advice is that the majority of schools are now using some form of individual education planning for children with special needs. In line with circular 30 of 2014, schools are required to put in place a personal pupil plan including a care plan for all pupils availing of SNA support.

In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved in fully implementing the EPSEN Act, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of the Act. A number of sections of the Act have been commenced, including those establishing the National Council for Special Education and those promoting an inclusive approach to education of children. However, the Act's provisions concerning individual education plans have not yet been commenced. It is intended to bring into effect many of the good ideas contained in the Act, on a non-statutory basis initially, through policy developments across a range of areas, in conjunction with the NCSE policy advice.

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