The Supreme Court is to announce its ruling today on the Sinnott case, which could have serious implications for the way disadvantaged children are educated.
The State wants to make the age of 18 the cut-off point at which they are obliged to provide free tuition.
Ms Katherine Sinnott, who wants her son Jamie to be provided with a full education despite having learning difficulties, is being challenged in the Supreme Court by the State.
Ms Sinnott, from Ballinhassig, Co Cork, wants free education to be determined by need instead of age.