Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Having raised this issue on Second Stage, I wholeheartedly agree with Senator Cox. The Bill effectively excludes anyone aged over 18 years from benefiting from its provisions. It would be an advantage if we could identify legislation which would benefit such persons but we do not have a disability Bill and are not aware of its contents. Reports indicate, however, that the Minister responsible, who is not the Minister for Education and Science, is hesitant to introduce a rights based Bill. The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill is long overdue but very good legislation. As Senator Cox and other Senators have pointed out, the glaring difficulty with it is its failure to provide for education for persons with disabilities beyond the age of 18 years.

Most children will start primary school at four or five years of age. Given that a child with learning difficulties may not be identified as having special needs at such an early stage, he or she will experience a delay in starting education. The law of averages indicates that he or she will experience additional delays while at primary school. One need only consider the delays many students have experienced in recent years while trying to have an assessment carried out. Many cannot get assessments and, as Senators will be aware, such children can expect repeated delays and excuses if they rely on health boards, an issue we will discuss later.

In second level, students will experience further delays for various reasons. It is conceivable, therefore, that persons with learning difficulties will not reach the end of their education by the age of 18 years. For this reason, it is vital that the Minister re-examine this matter and use all means necessary, which are best known to him and his officials, to allow persons with special needs to continue with their education after the age of 18 years.

While I cannot speak to my amendment——