Taoiseach reticent on Disability Ombudsman

THE Taoiseach wants a Disability Ombudsman appointed but would not commit yesterday to giving the new authority legal teeth to pursue rights in the courts.

Fresh figures released by the Department of Education yesterday revealed that the State has paid out €13 million fighting parents who are seeking an education for their intellectually disabled children, between legal costs and damages.

But a Disability Ombudsman will be of no use unless he has the power to enforce the rights of the disabled in the courts, according to one disability rights group.