Individual Education Plans in the Republic of Ireland: an emerging system

The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act in Ireland advocated the development of individual education plans (IEPs). However, this section of the Act has never been fully implemented and there is no obligation upon schools to develop IEPs. Research conducted across the country by Richard Rose and Yu Zhao of the University of Northampton, Michael Shevlin of Trinity College Dublin, and Eileen Winter and Paul O'Raw of the Institute of Child Psychology and Education Europe, examined the extent to which IEPs have been developed and implemented in schools, and attitudes towards their use. Interviews were conducted with teachers, parents, pupils and other professionals to gain data related to IEP development and implementation. The findings of the research suggest that schools are taking the initiative in developing IEPs, though there is inconsistency in their use and in perceptions of their usefulness.