Kathy Sinnott, Pleased with original decision
The Minister for Education issued a statement tonight concerning the Jamie Sinnott case. The statement points out that two amounts of £42,000 and £15,000 have been paid to Mrs Sinnott, Jamie's mother for the care of her son.
Ealier today, the Cork woman whose autistic son was awarded more than £250,000 in damages against the State has criticised the Education Minister's decision to appeal the findings. Kathy Sinnott accused Dr Michael Woods of prolonging the ordeal of hundreds of other parents with autistic children by appealing the High Court's findings to the Supreme Court.
The Minister states that "under no circumstances will the state attempt to recoup the stated payments from Mrs Sinnott regardless of the outcome of the Supreme Court." The statement also says that the Department would pay the costs of both sides in the Supreme Court case. The Department also restates that the purpose of the appeal "is to clarify points of law."
The High Court ruled in October that the State had failed to adequately provide for the education of Kathy Sinnott's son, Jamie. Mr Justice Robert Barr's ruling was a landmark judgement that found the State could not put age limits on its obligations to provide free primary education for everyone. If the need was there, then education should continue.
Jamie Sinnott is now in his mid-20s and Mr Justice Barr found that the State was continuing to fail in its duty to provide him with free education. Kathy Sinnott has accused Dr Woods of lodging that appeal for tactical purposes - to prolong her case and to discourage others from taking similar cases. The appeal is not expected to be heard before the middle of next year.
The Minister's statement does not refer to the balance of £198,000 owed to the Sinnotts. According to Supreme Court documents, the Department are challenging the costs awarded in the High Court.
