Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The EPSEN Act was passed in 2004. Almost 17 years later, we still do not have dates for when the implementation of the section relating to IEPs for children with disabilities will be implemented and made compulsory. In many schools where it has been implemented, it provides teachers and parents with the opportunity to have a practical and realistic dialogue about the student's needs and to develop creative ways to meet those needs. The IEP directs the student with special educational needs on his or her school journey. It also allows for a certain amount of structure that is essential to the students' families and educators who are dealing with learning disabilities.

Students know what to expect from their programme each day, how they will be taught and what milestones they should reach. If implemented, it would also help the individual in a post-secondary school context in the forms of training, employment, independent living skills and so on. We all know that students with special educational needs should be placed in the least restrictive environment, thus keeping them involved with general education and letting them prosper. We should not have to wait any longer for this part of the Act to be implemented and help these students to reach their full potential.

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