The Department of Education is set to lose day-to-day responsibility for special education under Government plans which will be announced shortly.
The Government is also about to consider proposals from the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, which could give new legal rights to the parents and guardians of children requiring special education.
The main features of the plan - endorsed by the Cabinet last week - include:
The establishment of a new National Council for Special Education.
A new appeals structure for parents of children with special needs, who are unhappy with the education provision given to their child. Parents will be able to appeal, in the first instance to the council.
A detailed programme for each child with special needs worked out by experts in the area.
New regional co-ordinators for special education. These will monitor the provision of education services in each area on behalf of the new council. They may also work in co-operation with local boards.
Dr Woods has signalled that he may bring forward legislation for special education in the autumn. There is speculation that this will place a new legal onus on the State to provide adequate special education for children who require it. The State might, for example, be legally obliged to deliver an education programme recommended by experts.
It is expected that the new council will receive an initial budget allocation of at least £2 million.
Dr Woods, who says he has a virtual "blank cheque" to deal with special education, received strong backing for the package when he brought it to the Cabinet last week.
The timing of the initiative will be seen as a response to the Sinnott judgment. The Department of Education was criticised for appealing the High Court decision in the case to the Supreme Court which found that the State was only obliged to provide free primary education up to the age of 18.
Sources insist, however, that the move to set up the new council has been under way for several years.
The decision to press ahead with the council is seen as an acknowledgement that the Department lacks the resources and expertise to provide the best possible service for children with special educational needs.
The council will comprise specialists, both national and international. It will have a research function and assess the level of need in the State. It will also advise the Minister on best international practice in special education.
The programme for each child will be drawn up by experts. One source said: "The emphasis will be on early intervention . . . identifying any child with special needs and working out a programme best suited to his or her needs."
Under existing arrangements, the Department of Education - which is one of the most understaffed Government departments - has little detailed expertise in special education.