THE Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach, has welcomed the "amicable outcome" to yesterday's Supreme Court appeal. She said it was "an honourable resolution to the particular case".
She said the case was a "distressing one" and that both parties has acted honourably. She noted that the Chief Justice had congratulated the parents in their efforts for their child and the Minister for "doing everything possible within the confines of available resources to meet the obligation to provide education for the plaintiff". She said her Department had come "out with honour".
A member of the group who had campaigned on behalf of the family said they were "absolutely delighted" with the outcome.
Protesters gathered outside the Department of Education offices in Dublin and Cork yesterday afternoon to highlight the case.
The Progressive Democrats spokeswoman on education, equality and law reform, Ms Helen Keogh, said the case should "never have been taken". The outcome would be welcomed by every parent in Ireland, she added.
She compared the costs of providing proper education for children with disabilities with the £30 million which the Minister is intent on spending on the regional education boards".
A spokesman for the Green Party, Mr Dan Boyle, said the decision was "a landmark decision and an embarrassment for the Minister" and "should be a mark of shame" for Ms Breathnach.