Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), John Brady, has described as a ‘kick in the teeth’ the revelation that the state has spent over €2 million on legal costs and court settlements in cases involving families seeking appropriate school places for their children.
Correspondence provided to the PAC by the Department of Education and Youth shows that a total of €2.043 million has been spent since 2022. This includes €567,000 in 2022, €399,000 in 2023, €661,000 in 2024, €251,000 in 2025 and €165,000 in 2026.
Teachta Brady said:
“The fact that the state has spent more than €2 million on these cases since 2022 will be a kick in the teeth to every family struggling to secure a suitable school place and the basic supports their children are entitled to.
“It is important to remember that these costs also only relate to the Department of Education – families are also taking cases against the Department of Health and the HSE over failures to provide vital Assessments of Need and other essential services.
“What should be of major concern also is the year on year trend in the number of cases being initiated.
“There were 17 pre-litigation cases in 2022. In 2025, the figure was 163.
“While there is a lag in terms of the legal process and costs being awarded, the trajectory in case numbers is stark and evidence of a crisis that is worsening year after year.
“Rather than adequately planning and investing to ensure sufficient school places and supports are available, the Government’s failure has left parents feeling that they have no other choice but to initiate legal proceedings.
“Doubling down on failure, the state has chosen to oppose parents as they seek to vindicate their children’s rights.
“This money should have been invested in additional special classes, school places and supports, not squandered on adversarial legal battles and costly legal fees.
“Parents are exhausted from having to constantly fight the system and this latest revelation will be yet another blow to families already under immense pressure.
“These figures are symptomatic of the fundamental flaws at the heart of how special educational supports are planned and delivered.
“The Government must now provide a clear, long-term commitment to strengthening special education provision based on need, while ensuring meaningful engagement with families, SNAs, teachers and school communities.”