As Cathaoirleach of the Committee of Public Accounts, last week I exposed that in recent years, the Department of education has spent over €2 million on legal costs and court settlements in cases involving families seeking appropriate school places. That is in addition to the €10.5 million spent by the State on legal defences to challenges by parents regarding assessments of need. This is an absolute insult to every parent fighting tirelessly for their child's basic right to education and to every child left without supports they need. This money was not spent on classrooms, special classes or additional supports but on defending the indefensible. This is public money wasted on adversarial legal battles against families who, as a last option, have to take legal action to vindicate their children's rights. Instead of planning effectively and investing adequately to ensure sufficient school places, the Government has chosen to meet vulnerable families in the courtroom. Parents are exhausted. They are frustrated. This will be another kick in the teeth to those who are already facing immense pressures. This situation lays bare the fundamental failures at the heart of special education provision. It is reactive. It is not proactive. It is adversarial and not supportive. This money should have been invested in additional special classes, SNAs and meaningful supports within our schools. The Government and the Minister must change course. They must commit to long-term planning and genuinely engaging with families and school communities because all our children deserve better. The Minister must support this motion and start proactively dealing with special education and putting the supports in place.

Sentiment score: -0.01