Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 486: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the financial breakdown of the amount which has been spent by her Department per year in the past five years on court cases involving her Department in relation to general cases. [12960/06]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the financial breakdown of the amount which has been spent by her Department per year in the past five years on court cases involving autistic and special needs students. [12961/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.

Legal costs incurred by the State in defending those cases which are brought to court, are not met directly by my Department. In accordance with financial procedures in cases involving damages or compensation against the State, costs are generally charged to the Vote of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, as sanctioned by the Attorney General.

My Department meets the legal costs of plaintiffs where there is a settlement or an order for costs against the State where my Department is named. The Department has spent the following amounts per year over the past five years in cases in which the Minister for Education and Science is a defendant, respondent or notice party:

2001: €4,410,250.08

2002: €5,282,807.20

2003: €5,887,384.59

2004: €6,748,952.27

2005: €2,927,329.58

These costs include those which relate to litigation involving primary schools, community and comprehensive schools, children detention schools, special educational needs and other related matters.

In respect of special needs cases, the figures are as follows:

2001: €3,286,461.35

2002: €3,924,786.12

2003: €4,306,734.64

2004: €5,647,596.68

2005: €1,600,009.11

There has been enormous progress made over the past number of years regarding increasing the number of teachers in our schools who are specifically dedicated to providing education for children with SEN. At primary level there are now approximately 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.

At second level, approximately 1,647 whole-time equivalent additional teachers are in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to approximately 200 teachers that were in place in 1998 for such pupils. In addition, there are 532 whole-time equivalent learning support teachers.

Enormous progress has also been made in respect of increasing the number of SNAs in our schools who specifically cater for the care needs of children with special educational needs. There are over 7,300 whole time equivalent SNAs in primary and second level schools supporting children with special needs.

In addition, my Department spends over €30 million on school transport and over €3 million towards specialised equipment and materials for pupils with special educational needs.

I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education and the education partners, I will ensure that all children with special educational needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.