Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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203. To ask the Minister for Health the cost to the State in defending court cases brought by parents since 2018 whose children did not receive an assessment of need in a timely manner; the number of cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36320/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to legal cases taken in relation to the Disability Act 2005, I can only answer in respect of cases relating to health services and not the State as a whole.

In the context of the Department of Health, the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer has confirmed that the legal costs incurred by from March 2018 to the end of June 2022, the term to date of the current incumbent in the role, totals €53,065.50.

With regard to costs for other cases, this information is held by the Health Service Executive and, as such, I have referred to this PQ to them for direct response to the Deputy, as soon as possible.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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204. To ask the Minister for Health the cost to the State in defending the recent High Court case in which the judge ruled that a preliminary process used by the HSE to assess the needs of children with suspected educational and health problems does not comply with the disability laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36321/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.