Education and the Law

Legal issues encroach into almost every aspect of modern day education in Ireland. This practical book examines these legal issues surrounding teaching and education, such as tortuous liability for injuries to teachers and students, the employment of teachers, school discipline, bullying, freedom of information, and the State's responsibility for educating children with special educational needs. Membership of the European Union has also resulted in many changes arising from the principles of free movement, non-discrimination and the common vocational training policy. These developments, as well as the key legislation (including the Education Act 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 and the Disability Act 2005) are examined in detail. Education and the Law also takes an historical look at the legal aspects of the education system in Ireland, and it traces the distinctive development of the Irish education system but it also looks at the future direction of education in Ireland and at the likely impact of equality law, human rights law and membership of the enlarged European Community on Ireland's largely denominational education system.