Departmental Legal Cases

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026

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Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Questions (1246, 1247, 1248, 1249, 1250, 1251, 1252)

Grace Boland

Question:

1246. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department, or any body under its aegis, has funded, or is funding, other than where legal costs were awarded against the employer by a court or tribunal, the legal costs of any current or concluded litigation taken by an employee or former employee against that Department or body, in each of the past five years; if so, to provide details of the number of such cases, the bodies involved, and the total costs incurred in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2018/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

1247. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the basis on which her Department, or a body under its aegis, may fund the legal costs of an employee or former employee in litigation where that employee is in dispute with, or taking proceedings against, the same body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2036/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

1248. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the funding of employee legal costs in disputes against her Department, or a body under its aegis, is standard practice; if not, the circumstances in which such funding may be permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2054/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

1249. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the guidance, codes, circulars or directions that govern the payment of legal costs by her Department, and bodies under its aegis, in employment-related disputes, including any requirements under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or Departmental sanction arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2072/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

1250. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the funding of employee legal costs in litigation against the employing body could give rise to governance, accountability, or value for money concerns; whether her Department has issued any guidance in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2090/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

1251. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has reviewed, or intends to review, the practice of Departments, and bodies under their aegis, funding legal costs in employment disputes involving those same bodies; and if so, the outcome or timeline for such a review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2108/26]

Grace Boland

Question:

1252. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether arrangements to fund legal costs in employment disputes involving her Department, or bodies under its aegis, require the prior approval of her Department or the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2126/26]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1246 to 1252, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. It is currently being collated and reviewed by officials in my Department and a response will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Question No. 1247 answered with Question No. 1246.

Question No. 1248 answered with Question No. 1246.

Question No. 1249 answered with Question No. 1246.

Question No. 1250 answered with Question No. 1246.

Question No. 1251 answered with Question No. 1246.

Question No. 1252 answered with Question No. 1246.

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