Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills on the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, if she will confirm if a child with special needs currently has a legal entitlement to an individual education plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32435/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy that a number of sections of the EPSEN Act have been commenced, including those sections establishing the National Council for Special Education and those providing for the inclusive education of children.

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

The EPSEN provisions concerning a statutory entitlement to an Individual Education Plans have therefore not yet been commenced.

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.

At present, all schools are encouraged to use Education Plans and receive guidance and support in order to do so. My Departmental Inspectorates' advice is that the majority of schools are now using some form of individual education planning for children with special needs.