Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is important that we obtain that information. I was given a figure of 121,353 by a group of disability bodies, which was the information given to them. It is an issue the Minister must address seriously. In recent days two mothers of children with Down's syndrome have been granted leave to challenge the law on resource hours for children with that condition. We must not go back to the old days where parents of children with disabilities had to go to the courts to secure the resources their children needed. That type of court action costs the Minister a great deal of money, which he does not have. The uncertainty is causing great hardship and distress to parents, who just want the services to which their children are entitled. I acknowledge that much good is being achieved by the provision of resource hours. All parents of children with disabilities are seeking is a quality education service.

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