Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 5, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: “(2) Where, following consultation with the Minister and having regard to any information provided to the Council by the Minister in relation to any planned additional provision of education for children with special educational needs and available lands and buildings, the Council remains of the opinion that there is insufficient capacity in an area for the provision of education to children with special educational needs, it shall prepare and submit a report on the matter to the Minister.”.

I will give an overview of my amendments, and my colleagues will want to speak on theirs. First, in consultation with the Minister, which I appreciate, I am happy to accept the amendment to amendment No. 9.

Amendment No. 3 inserts, "Where, following consultation with the Minister and having regard to any information provided to the Council [the NCSE] by the Minister in relation to any planned additional provision of education for children with special educational needs and available lands and buildings, the Council remains of the opinion that there is insufficient capacity in an area for the provision of education to children with special educational needs, it shall prepare and submit a report on the matter to the Minister."

Amendment No. 4 relates to timing and states that, "such a notice shall issue no later than the 31st of March". The idea here is that it is unfair not to give a school enough time to open in September. Our contention is that later than 31 March would be too late.

Amendment No. 6 states, "Prior to preparing a report under subsection (2), the Council shall consult with the Minister...". This relates to consultation, and it is important. In the briefing that was afforded to us by the Minister, and we very much appreciate that, this Bill is about truncating the process so we do not have an elongated process. However, it is still important that we have a list of those who we should consult. It is similar with amendment No. 9. The Minister has proposed an amendment to that amendment and we accept that. The other amendments are similar to that as well.

I have given a broad sweep of what we are intending to do here. It is mainly about consultation and making sure the school is given the best opportunity to open in September. The timeline would be important there. We are accepting the amendment to amendment No. 9.

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