AQW 8698/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education what action he is taking to ensure that all elements of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 are commenced as soon as possible.
Asked by Nick Mathison MLA on 12 March 2024
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 12 March 2024
- Answer due by
- 28 March 2024
- Answered
- 26 March 202414 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
ANSWER
Work continues on finalising the new Special Educational Needs (SEN) Framework, which includes the SEN and Disability (SEND) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, new SEN Regulations and supporting Code of Practice.
The SEND Act cannot be fully implemented without the supporting SEN Regulations being passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Regulations are in the final stages of drafting and once all the necessary approvals are in place they will be presented to the Education Committee for scrutiny and then commence their legislative journey through the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In the interim, my officials are working closely with the Education Authority (EA) to agree a timetable for commencing each provision within the SEND Act.