Departmental Legal Cases

Thursday, 25 June 2026

Questions (299)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

299. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount spent by her Department, including expenditure on legal fees, counsel fees, solicitor costs and any related costs, in defending court proceedings taken by parents or guardians arising from a child not being offered a school place at a recognised primary or post-primary school, excluding cases primarily concerning special educational needs or additional educational supports, in each of the past five years and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48650/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

For the period from 23/6/2021 to date, there have been no costs incurred by the department with regard to legal fees, solicitors’ costs and any related costs in defending court proceeding taken by parents or guardians arising from a child not being offered a school place at a recognised primary or post-primary school, excluding cases primarily concerning special educational needs or additional educational supports. In 2022, the department defended two judicial review cases brought by parents as referenced in the deputy’s question, where the courts ruled in its favour and the department did not incur costs or fees.