A High Court judge is being asked to decide whether a 14-year-old autistic boy with severe behavioural problems who was taken out of a special school two years ago by his dissatisfied parents should now be placed in a centre in north Wales or a facility in Co Dublin.
Mr Justice John MacMenamin heard submissions from experts during his inquiry to determine which option would be most suitable for Lewis O'Carolan, of Phibsboro, Dublin.
The boy has been without education or respite care for the past two years, and his parents say the services proposed for their son here are totally unsuitable to his needs.
Both the Department of Education and the Health Service Executive favour the boy going to a facility at Woodlawn, Blake's Cross, Co Dublin, while the centre at Bangor, Wales, is the choice of the boy's parents, Colm and Annette.
The annual cost of the placement in Wales would be some £180,000, the court heard. It was not given a figure for the cost of the Irish placement.
John O'Donnell SC, for the State, said even if the judge were to favour the Welsh placement, jurisdictional issues could be posed.
At the opening of yesterday's hearing, the judge told the parties that he wished to have more information on a range of issues, including a report on a visit by the authorities to the Bangor centre.
Mr Justice MacMenamin said he also wanted information on whether the parties had discussed reports outlining various aspects of the two proposed centres.
Among other issues about which the judge said he wanted further information was the impact on Lewis if the court - provided it had jurisdiction - ordered the placement in Bangor. He also asked what the impact would be from the point of view of access for his family and language and cultural difficulties.
Lewis has been living at home with his parents since being withdrawn from St Paul's special school in Beaumont, Dublin. In the court proceedings, the parents are seeking "appropriate" education and support for their son.
The hearing continues today.