Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

It is an individual plan for an individual student but the Minister had advised it is not necessary to state that in the legislation. The effect of the Bill is to confer on all children who have a special educational need, arising from a disability, a right to receive an assessment, an education plan and support services where these are necessary to meet their needs. Referring to an assessment an individual assessment or one which is to take account of the student's specific needs does not add to the rights which children with disabilities will enjoy once the legislation is commenced. The assessment does not take place in a vacuum. It is an assessment of an individual but is not an end in itself. The Bill is clear that where an assessment identifies that a child has special needs an education plan must be prepared to meet those needs and that plan must be implemented. It is surplus to requirements to refer to it as an individual plan or individual needs. That is inherent in the fact that the child has special needs.