Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that children assessed under the Special Educational Act 2004 have a personal education plan in place. [19155/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that although the relevant sections of the EPSEN Act providing for a statutory requirement for the use of Individual Education Plans (IEP) plans have not yet been commenced, schools are encouraged to use such plans through policy guidance, support, training and inspection. The DES Inspectorate's advice is that the majority of schools are now using some form of individual education planning for children with special educational needs.

The Department's Learning Support Guidelines recommend that an Individual profile and Learning Programme should be devised for all children who are receiving supplementary teaching from the learning-support teacher.

Training has been provided to primary and post primary schools by the Special Education Support Service in relation to individual education plans, taking close account of the procedures that are set out in EPSEN Act 2004. The provision of individual plans for children with special needs is recognised as an important feature of good practice, and it is in this context that inspectors examine and comment in Whole School Evaluation reports on the quality of planning and the collaboration that takes place between the various teachers, parents and outside services in regard to the provision of an appropriate education for children with special educational needs.