61 Deputy Trevor Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children when adults and children will be afforded the right to an assessment under the Disability Act 2005; if funding will be attached to such assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23915/10]

Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 was commenced on 1 June 2007 in respect of children aged under 5; this includes an independent assessment of health and education needs. In October 2008 the Government decided, in the light of financial circumstances, to defer further implementation of the Act and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004. No alternative timescales for full implementation of Part 2 of the Act have been developed to date.