Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We still do not know how many children are waiting on special school places. We need figures that are as accurate as possible on an ongoing basis. We do not know how the Department will adequately enforce section 37a notices to ensure that every child who needs a place is granted one. An AsIAm report showed that one quarter of parents of children with autism feel that they do not have an appropriate school place. While we wait for a review, I also wish to ask the Minister whether the Special Educational Needs Act 2004, the EPSEN Act, will finally be commenced. It is a key question.

We also raised the delay in announcing SNA allocations last week. The Minister has said that that work will be completed by the end of this month. It should have been completed by the end of last month, if not earlier, as it has been in previous years. It is extraordinarily disruptive for SNAs, principals and parents that it is delayed to the end of this month. It really disrupts their ability to plan for next year. The Minister stated it will happen by the end of this month. We will have to take him on his word. We need definitive dates and ongoing planning. We need to know how many special school places are required on a regional basis.

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