Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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478. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the legal fees that were incurred by her Department following the decision to contest the legal challenges brought forward by two home-schooled students who claimed they were unfairly excluded from the leaving certificate calculated grades process in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4588/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Supreme Court delivered its judgments on January 24th last in the appeals the appeals taken in these cases.

It is important to highlight that the students concerned were provided with calculated grades in 2020 following the initial High Court rulings in their cases. The appeals brought initially to the Court of Appeal and subsequently to the Supreme Court had no implications for the students as regards their grades or final results.

The appeals were brought because of important legal issues which arose in particular from the Court of Appeal rulings.

The legal costs paid by my Department in respect of these cases is €432,514.08 including VAT. 

My officials and I will be considering the judgments carefully, which will include engagement with our legal team and the Attorney General’s Office.