Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is short enough, but it is sufficient to say that I support the motion. I have been around as an elected representative for a long time and was involved with the education committee when the original Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act was enacted. As others have said, it is shocking that so many aspects of that legislation still have not been enacted. I was checking my notes as I was starting to speak and the only sections that have been enacted are those regarding the promotion of an inclusive approach to the education of children and the establishment of the NCSE. That was very welcome but I have heard reports from my own area of assessments done by the NCSE as to what is required not meeting the demand on the ground. Many other sections of the Act have not been brought into effect. I refer to sections 3 and 13, parts of section 14 and sections 15 to 18, which relate to the independent appeals process. There is a lot more to be done.

While I am here, I will welcome the establishment of a special school in south Lucan. This will initially take 30 students. It is very welcome. However, without the overall framework through which we can properly assess needs, we will still be catching up. I know there have been arguments made that the requirements for special education have changed and that some aspects of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act have to be reviewed but I believe it has ultimately come down to finance. We need to find that money to invest in our children.

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