Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of court actions being taken against her Department with respect to the failure of the State to supply an adequate or suitable education to a person or persons; the outline details of each of these cases; the situation in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17470/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy refers to litigation taken against the State in which my Department is a named party and in this context I cannot comment on any individual case. I can confirm that at present there are 80 active legal cases involving provision for children with special educational needs to which my Department is a party. The Deputy will be aware of the enormous progress made over the past number of years in relation to increasing the number of teachers and other supports in our schools which are specifically dedicated to providing education for children with special educational needs. I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education, ensure that all children with special needs are adequately resourced.