Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has had discussions with the State Claims Agency in regard to the case involving a person (details supplied); if the costs of their case will be pursued by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12976/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The State Claims Agency, SCA, has responsibility for deciding on the issue of costs in the case to which the Deputy refers. The SCA has said that it deals with each case on an individual basis, and that its approach here will be measured and sensitive.

The SCA will be consulting my Department on the issue of costs. I agree with its opinion that the matter should be pursued in a measured and sensitive way and I have asked my Department to convey my view that the issue of costs should be dealt with sympathetically. My Department will inform the SCA of this and reflect points made by the plaintiff to me in the course of correspondence.

Before a final decision can be taken on this matter by the SCA, it will be obliged to engage with the solicitors for the plaintiff so that it can take full account of her circumstances. I understand that arrangements for that process are now being put into place.