Courts / Ireland / Report

Parents of special needs children take action over school closures

Summary

Several High Court challenges have been filed by parents of five school‑going children with special needs, seeking judicial review of the Minister for Education's decision not to reopen schools for pupils with intellectual disabilities. The applications, presented to Mr Justice Charles Meenan, ask for orders and injunctions compelling the Minister and the State to reopen the schools and to provide an adequate and appropriate education under the 1988 Education Act and Article 42 of the Constitution. The parents argue that the Minister's announcement on 19 January that schools would remain closed due to a lack of cooperation from key staff trade unions was contrary to the earlier plan to reopen on 21 January. They claim the closures have caused severe regression in basic skills for children with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, and that the State has failed in its duty to provide suitable education.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Parents of special needs children take action over school closures. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• January 19th Other
• January 21st Other
• 2021-01-27 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report