About €2 million has been spent defending legal cases over school placements for children since 2022.
A Midlands TD says the State spending €2 million on fighting legal cases against families seeking suitable school placements is "a kick in the teeth".
According to figures provided to the Public Accounts Committee by the Department of Education, €567,000 was spent in 2022, €399,000 in 2023, €661,000 in 2024, €251,000 in 2025 and €165,000 in 2026.
Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke says families are also taking cases against the Department of Health and the HSE over failures to provide vital Assessments of Need and other essential services.
She says families have no choice but to fight for their rights:
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