Fine Gael calls for educational needs appeals mechanism

FINE Gael called on the Government yesterday to introduce a mechanism through which parents who do not feel their children’s educational needs are being met by the State can appeal without going to court.

The party made the call after the parents of a six-year-old autistic boy were left facing an estimated e2 million legal bill following a High Court ruling this week.

Cian and Yvonne Ó Cuanacháin, from Arklow, Co Wicklow, lost their battle for the State to educate their son, Seán, through a special method known as Applied Behaviour Analysis, which has proved effective for other children in similar circumstances.