Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act 2004 was passed through this House in 2004 and quite a significant number of sections have not yet been commenced, sections which deal with the rights and entitlements of children in terms of their entitlement to an education assessment for example, the development of a statutory individual education plan, the delivery of detailed education services on foot of this plan, an independent appeals process and so on. Over a year ago I asked about this issue and I asked again subsequent to that for an update from the Taoiseach on the commencement of those sections of the Act because unfortunately people have become too familiar with announcement after announcement, passage of legislation and no follow through in any meaningful sense. I would like an indication from the Taoiseach, in line with the programme for Government, on where the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act 2004 stands and those sections which have not been commenced and what is the Government's response in terms of what it will do about it.