Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 July 2022
203. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State in defending court cases brought by parents since 2018 whose children did not receive an assessment of need in a timely manner; the number of cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36320/22]
View answerWith regard to legal cases taken in relation to the Disability Act 2005, I can only answer in respect of cases relating to health services and not the State as a whole.
In the context of the Department of Health, the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer has confirmed that the legal costs incurred by from March 2018 to the end of June 2022, the term to date of the current incumbent in the role, totals €53,065.50.
With regard to costs for other cases, this information is held by the Health Service Executive and, as such, I have referred to this PQ to them for direct response to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
