Six children from five separate families are taking legal action to try and force the reopening of schools for pupils with special education needs.
They are a small fraction of the number of similar cases being handled by a Dublin law firm, who claim their clients were left with no choice.
Earlier this month, the Minister for Education announced that schools for children with additional needs would remain closed for the time being.
Norma Foley claimed it was due to a lack of co-operation from “key staff unions”.
The decision not to reopen caused great distress to the parents of the affected children, who account for just 4% of the total school population.
KOD Lyons, the Dublin law firm representing all of the families in these sample cases as well as over 200 others waiting in the wings, say the decision to keep them closed is having a huge impact on the children, for whom home schooling isn’t an option.
The firm recently sent warning letters to Minister Foley and the relevant unions, but in the end, felt they were left with no choice but to seek a judicial review.
A hearing on whether to grant permission to challenge the decision in the courts will be heard next Monday afternoon.
*Reporting By Frank Greaney
