Finian McGrath
Ceist:285 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of public money which was spent on legal cases against families of children with intellectual disabilities over the past five years. [16806/03]
Vol. 568 No. 5
285 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of public money which was spent on legal cases against families of children with intellectual disabilities over the past five years. [16806/03]
Very significant additional resources have been provided for the education of children who have special educational needs arising from disabilities. I acknowledge, however, that there was an historic deficit in funding such education resources and further progress is needed in the special education system before we can be satisfied that every child has access to the kind of education resources he or she needs and is entitled to. I am committed to making that progress.
I also acknowledge that, because of resourcing and organisational issues, there are parents who feel it necessary in the interests of their child to seek redress in the courts. That is their right. My Department responds to cases brought against the State, as it is obliged to do, and most are settled on agreed terms without a court hearing.