DUBLIN, Ireland: The High Court has heard that some parents of children with special needs may be forced to give up their jobs to care for their children due to the lack of school places available in September.

Brendan Hennessy BL, counsel representing children who are still without school placements, told the court that up to 50 legal challenges could be brought over the failure to secure appropriate educational provision. As of July 4, 34 such cases were listed before the High Court, with parents taking legal action against the Minister for Education and Youth and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

Justice Sara Phelan, who is managing the case list, acknowledged the growing pressure as the legal term nears its end. She confirmed that three hearing dates in July and nine in September have been allocated for these cases, with two judges assigned to handle the September sessions.

Justice Phelan issued a caution, saying the Department of Education and the NCSE must begin the school placement process earlier in the year to avoid a repeat of the current situation.

The State informed the court that school places had been secured in seven of the ongoing cases. Three are set for hearing this month, and four more are likely to follow. Twenty cases remain unresolved, and new filings continue to emerge, pushing the potential total to between 40 and 50.

Hennessy, instructed by KM Solicitors, urged the court to fill every available hearing slot. "Parents are extremely anxious," he said. "Some are considering giving up work in September if no school place is found. All they want is clarity and a guaranteed place."

He emphasized the need for written confirmation of placements and cited one example where a case had settled last year on the promise that a seven-year-old boy would receive a school place once building works at the school were completed in April. That promise, he said, has still not been fulfilled.

Counsel for the State, Tony McGillicuddy SC, confirmed that places have now been offered in seven cases. He added that the Department of Education and the NCSE are working to streamline the process and develop a more effective plan to prevent similar issues in future years.

The remaining cases are scheduled to return to court later this month.