Legislation For Education Services In Ireland

Ten pieces of legislation cover education supports and hearing services in Ireland – listed here for parents, educators and lawyers re-engineering state services in a digital age.

Ability: The Reality For Deaf Children In Ireland

Infants born deaf, detected at birth, who get hearing-devices immediately and whose families talk with them at home, typically can start preschool with age-appropriate spoken language.

Their reading skills will be strong, with early access to sound boosting their literacy levels to peer-age ability. Parent education and high expectations similarly influence these outcomes.

Deafness is different in the digital age, and services must reflect today’s reality. [The NCSE policy paper for children who are deaf and hard of hearing is a plan, not legislation].

Legislation

1. The Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act

2. The Teaching Council Act, 2001

3. Freedom of Information Act, 1997 and 2003

4. Data Protection Acts, 1988, 1998 and 2003

5. The Children Act, 2001

6. The Equal Status Act, 2000

7. The Education Welfare Act, 2000

8. The National Disability Authority Act, 1999

9. The Salamanca Statement (UNESCO, 1994)

10. The Education Act, 1988

Have we missed any pieces of legislation here? Let us know, as relevant.