Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that up to 18% of second level pupils are estimated to have special education needs, she will give effect to the recommendation in the National Council for Special Education implementation plan that a specific co-ordinator should be appointed to second level schools to carry out the varied tasks, including the co-ordination of individual education plans, in order to ensure the needs of those pupils are met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28254/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special needs. The National Council for Special Education was required by the legislation to advise on implementation of the Act. My Department has been examining the Council's advice, including that in regard to co-ordinators, and in this context has held a series of consultations with the education partners on implementation issues. Arising from this process my Department is developing proposals for the implementation of the EPSEN Act. It is hoped to complete this work shortly.

The sections of the EPSEN Act in respect of assessment and individual education plans (IEP) have not yet commenced. However, services continue to be provided on a non-statutory basis and my Department continues to provide for the allocation of additional resources through the Council to enhance the capacity of the education system to meet special educational needs. The Deputy may wish to note that in preparation for the statutory introduction of the individual education plan (IEP) process, the Council has published guidelines on the IEP process and a copy issued to all primary and post primary schools at the commencement of the 2006/2007 school year. These guidelines provide advice and assistance to schools, teachers and parents on devising and implementing individual education plans. It is the Council's intention that schools will use these guidelines to draw up school policies and procedures in relation to individual education plans in advance of the mandatory requirement for them to do so.

A further component of the preparation for the roll-out of the EPSEN Act in second level schools was the development of the "Inclusion of Students with Special Educational Needs: Post-Primary Guidelines" published by my Department's Inspectorate in June. These guidelines, which were circulated to all second level schools, advocate a whole-school approach to effectively meet the educational needs of special needs students. Practical advice and guidance are provided on the organisation and co-ordination of resources to maximise the support to each individual student.