Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Senator Ulick Burke seeks to insert the word "individual" and the concept of specific needs into section 3(3). In this regard it is important to consider section 4, which deals with the issue of assessment. Section 4(6) defines what is meant by assessment, which is the point the Senator is seeking to address in his amendments. It states:

An assessment for the purposes of this section shall include an evaluation and statement of the nature and extent of the child's disability (including in respect of matters that affect the child overall as an individual) [it is a specific assessment and an individual assessment] and an evaluation and statement of the services which the child will need [note the use of the definite article in reference to the child. There is no question of plural assessments or plural service plans] so as to be able to participate in and benefit from education and, generally, to develop his or her potential.

The definition of the assessment in section 4(6) employs the level of specificity which the Senator seeks to introduce into the preceding section.