No timeframe given for full use of special needs law passed in 2004

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe was unable to give a timeframe last night for full implementation of a law passed in 2004 to give educational rights to people with special needs.

Accused by Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames of waging unjust war on children with special educational needs through the withdrawal of about 1,200 special needs assistants (SNAs) from schools, Mr O’Keeffe defended the Government’s commitment to special needs education which will receive more than €1 billion this year.

A FG Seanad Private Members motion last night called for a timeline for implementing the 2004 Education for People with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, which has only partially been put into operation. Senator Healy Eames said children’s rights are not protected as there is no statutory obligation to provide for the needs of a child as assessed in an individual education plan by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).