Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of legal action against his Department for the the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54454/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Legal costs incurred by the State, in defending those cases which are brought to court, are generally not met directly by my Department. In accordance with financial procedures in cases involving damages or compensation against the State, legal costs are generally charged to the Chief State Solicitor's Office Vote as sanctioned by the Attorney General.

My Department does not generally engage external solicitors and/or barristers. Where required, this is done through the Attorney General's Office.

The legal costs incurred by my Department for the years referred to by the Deputy amount to €10,946.20. This refers to legal advice provided by Counsel in relation to the Discovery process in litigation. Counsel was nominated by the Attorney General's Office and paid for by my Department.