The Education Act 1998

The Education Act (1998) was the first comprehensive piece of legislation to address the educational rights of students with special educational needs (SEN). Section 7 of the Act places an obligation on the Minister for Education to ensure that 'there is made available to each person resident in the State, including a person with a disability or who has other special educational needs, support services and a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs and abilities of that person.' This provision established the principle of educational entitlement for all students, regardless of disability.