Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that significant articles contained in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 have not been implemented ten years after enactment of the legislation; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that Ireland remains in breach of its commitment under the terms of the European Social Charter; her views that Ireland is in direct violation of the rights of people to live in an integrated society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39528/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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.

Section 2 of the EPSEN Act, which has been enacted, is designed to provide for the maximum inclusion of students with special educational needs in schools, in accordance with the principles of inclusivity set out in the European Social Charter, and the desire to ensure that people can live in an integrated society.

In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved in fully implementing the EPSEN Act, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of EPSEN.

While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has made a number of recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act.

It is intended to bring into effect many of the good ideas contained in the EPSEN Act, on a non-statutory basis initially, through policy developments across a range of areas, in conjunction with NCSE policy advice.