David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1221: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the Special Education Appeals Board as provided for in Section 26 of the Education for People with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 has been established and is operational; the persons who are on the board; the functions of the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33693/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Education Appeals Board was established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 to hear and determine appeals under the Act.

The Appeals Board comprises a Chairperson, Ms Fionnuala Kilfeather, and two ordinary members, Mr Páid McGee and Mr Patrick O'Keeffe, all of whom have a special interest in, or knowledge of, education and in particular the education of persons with special educational needs. Appointments were made to this inaugural board in April 2007 for an initial three year term.

Board members are working to ensure that appropriate structures and processes will be in place once the relevant sections of the act, which would allow appeals to be undertaken, are commenced.