Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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225. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the results of the EPSEN review will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35032/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for the question.

The report on the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 has been finalised and is available at the following link www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/consultations/epsen-review-consultation/

This review represents a significant step in aligning education policy and legislation with the lived experiences of children and young people with special educational needs, with the goal of improving educational outcomes.

The following outlines the background of the EPSEN Act 2004 Review and the key recommendations resulting from it.

The Department of Education and Youth's policy, which is set out in the EPSEN Act 2004, is that children with special educational needs should be educated in mainstream placements with additional supports provided as appropriate. The majority of children with special educational needs are supported in this way.

In December 2021, a comprehensive review of the EPSEN Act was announced. It received over 28,000 responses to online surveys, including 900 from children and young people through an accessible format. Additionally, 91 adults and 94 young people from mainstream, special, and Irish-medium schools, including some who had left school, took part in focus groups.

The review highlighted multiple areas where changes to legislation, policy, or practice are considered necessary. The final report outlines fifty one recommendations across sixteen key themes. These include a proposal to bring all school-age children under a single legislative framework to ensure a legal, rights-based approach to inclusive education. Another key recommendation is the completion of the roadmap towards a proactive, inclusive education system that supports transitions from early years through post-primary and beyond.

The report also calls for Student Support Plans to be given statutory status to ensure consistency in meeting individual needs, and for a review of language used in relation to additional needs to reflect inclusivity.

It reaffirms the importance of recognising children’s rights, ensuring meaningful parental involvement, and fostering stronger collaboration between government departments. It also highlights the need for continued investment in professional development for educators.

The Assessment of Need process emerged as a key concern across submissions, with many stakeholders calling for improved efficiency and timeliness. Work is already underway across government, including collaboration between the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, to address this

An implementation plan will be published before the end of the year to guide the next steps. This will strengthen the policy and legislative basis for inclusive education and support effective delivery across government. Implementation of the recommendations will inform future decision making and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive education system for all.