Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of cases currently before the courts against her Department in relation to the education rights of children with special needs; the number settled; the cost thereof in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19909/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There are 80 cases involving children with special educational needs currently ongoing in which my Department is a party. 15 cases were settled in 2004 while 7 were settled in 2005. The cost of litigation in this area, encompassing monies for settlement, legal costs and experts' professional fees, were €5,666,380.95 in the year 2004 and €1,627,442.06 in 2005.

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.