A prominent lobby group for children with autism has criticised the level of compensation awarded to a couple for the State's delay in providing adequate education for their autistic son.
Irish Autism Action today described the €60,000 awarded by the High Court to the parents of Seán Ó Cuanacháin, from Co Wicklow as "disappointing".
The Court ruled that the State had delayed providing the boy - who is now six years old - with education between 2002 and 2004.
Seán's parents had contended that the State was compelled to provide their son with 30 hours a week of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), a type of education for autistic children.
But chairman of the Irish Autism Action Cormac Rennick said the hearing was disappointing and that the compensation package granted would fund intense ABA education and therapies for just over a year.
"It is going to be some time to read the judgement, but the fact that damages were awarded against the HSE for neglect in care vindicated the family's rights in taking action," he said.
"They have been waiting for this judgement since last June. Unfortunately the issue of costs has not yet been resolved which leaves the family hanging on again."
Mr Rennick, who runs the ABA Abacas School in Kilbarrick, North Dublin, said some 200 children had been on a pilot programme for the specialist education for five to six years, while at least 1,000 autistic children need it. "ABA makes a huge difference to the lives of these children," he said.
A protest against today's ruling, led by Irish Autism Action and celebrity Keith Duffy, will be held on Friday. The demonstration will meet at 11am at the Four Courts in Dublin and march to the Department of Education and Science in Marlborough Street.
Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott said: "Damages awarded to the family can never make up for the damage done to Sean for loss of early intervention, which is critical to a child with special needs long term outcome. You can never recoup that."
Ms Sinnott - who is also chair of The Hope Project, which campaigns on behalf of disabled children and their parents, said: "I call on the future Ministers for education and health to ensure that every child with special needs is given appropriate early intervention and where appropriate ABA, as a matter of urgency and that this appropriate education be available throughout their years of learning. Appropriate education should be given to every child as guaranteed in our Constitution."
Meanwhile a multi-million euro all-Ireland centre for the education of children with autism is on course to open in South Armagh before the end of next year, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness announced today.
Mr McGuinness, who as Education Minister in the last Executive was the driving force behind the establishment of the centre in Middletown, visited the site today to inspect progress.
It is being funded on a 50:50 basis by the Department of Education in Dublin and its Northern counterpart. It cost £3 million to purchase the former St Joseph's Adolescent Centre and a further £4 million is being spent on a total refurbishment of the complex.