To ask the Minister of Education for a breakdown of how many times (i) the Education Authority has initiated legal action against parents, or carers, due to a child's school attendance; and (ii) these cases have related to children with special educational needs and disabilities, in each of the last 5 years.

The number of parents/guardians of children who have had court action initiated (Magistrates Court) as follows:

(ii) The Education Authority’s Education Welfare Service does not hold this data or breakdown cases based on SEN. The case is taken against the Parent/Carer based on the level of co-operation. Under Article 45 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, it is the duty of parents who have a child of compulsory school age to ensure their child receives efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude, ability and to any special educational needs they may have.

Paragraph 3 (1) of Schedule 13 to the 1986 Order states that it is the duty of a parent of a registered pupil of a school to secure their regular attendance at school. This applies to all children of compulsory school age who are on the roll of a school. Parents are legally responsible for making this happen.