EPSEN Act Review
- Published: 26 January 2023
Minister Josepha Madigan recently announced a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004. The purpose of this review and consultation is to ensure that legislation on education for students with additional needs is fully up-to-date, fully operational and reflective of the lived experiences of students and their families.
The Act states that " a child with special educational needs shall be educated in an inclusive environment with children who do not have such needs unless the nature and degree of the needs of the child is such that to do so would be inconsistent with (a) the interests of the child as determined in accordance with any assessment carried out under this Act, or (b) the effective provision of education for children with whom the child is to be educated."
Consultation with all relevant stakeholders is central to this review and it is hoped that there will be strong engagement with the process. IPPN is aware of the issues and challenges for schools and school leaders in the provision of education for students with additional needs. IPPN is also aware of the changed and changing educational landscape since the Act was passed in 2004, with some sections of the Act not yet commenced. You are all aware of the barriers to provision in your daily work in schools where the vision of the Act does not bear out the reality in schools. You hear this daily from staff and in your communication with parents who only want the best for their children. The consultation process will end on March 3 2023.
Now is the time for your voice to be heard by engaging with the consultation process through an online survey that can be accessed via the department's website: gov.ie/epsenreview
