Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the current status of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act; the provisions in this Act that have been implemented; the date of their enactment; the provisions in the Act that have yet to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16871/13]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish, in tabular form, a list of all provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; the current status of these provisions in terms of whether they have been implemented, part implemented or not implemented; the projected cost of implementing each of the provisions which have not been implemented to date; if he will outline a time frame for the implementation of all sections of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17182/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 467 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that a significant number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 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 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. The remaining sections of the Act have yet to be commenced.

In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of EPSEN. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) had suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act. My Department's view is that the level of investment required would now be greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report.

Given the costs involved and current fiscal constraints, addressing this issue will be very challenging. I will be considering how we can develop a plan to implement the objectives of the EPSEN Act so as to deliver improved educational outcomes for students with special needs.

The NCSE has been asked to provide comprehensive policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs. This advice will guide the preparation of a plan on how aspects of EPSEN can be implemented, including the prioritising of access to children with special needs to an individual education plan.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects to receive policy advice from the National Council for Special Education on special education here; the terms of reference or basis on which this review is being carried out; if the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16872/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a formal role under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 to advise me as Minister in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities. The NCSE has been asked to provide comprehensive policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs. I can advise that this advice will consider:

- the identification and assessment of children with special needs- the nature of supports provided for children

- the way in which supports are allocated to schools and

- how these supports are configured.

The NCSE has advised my Department that representative groups including parent representatives have been consulted as part of the development of this policy advice. These representative groups also participate on the NCSE Consultative Forum, which meets regularly to consider policy matters relating to the provision of services for children with special educational needs. The advice from the NCSE is expected in the coming weeks. It is my intention that the significant resources to support children with Special Educational Needs are deployed to ensure the best possible outcomes for students. The advice will be a key input into achieving this goal.