Written answers

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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13. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when all articles of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, EPSEN, Act 2004 will be implemented; if she will provide up-to-date financial information on the cost of implementation of the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45361/14]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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A number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act have been commenced, including those establishing the National Council for Special Education and those promoting an inclusive approach to education of children.

The 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 opinion was that the level of investment required across both sectors could be greater. However, an up to date quantification of the amount required has not been undertaken.

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.

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.

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