Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 727: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the elements of the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act that have been implemented to date; when the Act will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12376/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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A significant number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act have already 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 educational needs. Specifically, the following sections have been commenced - 1, 2, 14(1)(a), 14(1)(c), 14(2) to 14(4), 19 to 37, 40 to 53.

In the light of the current financial circumstances, it was not possible to proceed with full implementation of the Act in 2010 as had been originally envisaged. As the Deputy is aware, the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government is to develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a costed multi-annual plan to implement some priority aspects of the EPSEN Act, focussing on measurable, practical progress in education and health services for children with special needs.

This process will require discussions with the education partners, as well as the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health and Children. All parts of the EPSEN legislation, which have not been commenced to date, will be considered during this process. Until this costed, multi-annual plan is prepared and finalised, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for me to say when the remaining sections of EPSEN will be implemented. I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to the implementation of EPSEN at the earliest possible date.

In the meantime, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) will continue to support schools, parents and children, and teachers and special needs supports will continue to be deployed to schools in line with my Department's policies.