Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 242: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will instruct his legal team, through the Attorney General's office and his own legal advisers, not to proceed to obtain the €250,000 legal costs awarded against the parents of an autistic child (details supplied) following a decision in the High Court recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42968/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am aware of the matter to which the Deputy refers. As the case remains before the Courts, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the detail of the proceedings. However, the Deputy should be aware that the educational intervention which is being provided to the child in question was found by the High Court to be appropriate and to meet his needs. It is the norm in these situations for the legal costs of the case to be awarded to the party that has been successful. The High Court found that nothing in the facts of this case would cause a departure from that position. I am further advised that as the case remains before the Courts, there is no basis for determining what the final level of legal costs will be.