Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When will all the elements of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 be enacted to ensure that it will be compulsory for all early years settings to facilitate children with special educational needs?

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas almost two years ago but it has yet to be commenced. Can the Taoiseach indicate when it will be commenced?

The legislation on aftercare has not yet been published, while the Children First Bill has only reached Committee Stage. Despite the Government's promise to complete the legislation when it assumed office four and a half years ago, we are still awaiting a timeframe for debating and improving this much watered-down Bill.

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