Barry Ward
Ceist:689. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the status of the criminal legal aid fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51512/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 September 2025
Ceisteanna (689, 690, 691, 693)
Barry Ward
Ceist:690. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to the stoppage of criminal legal aid payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51513/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Ward
Ceist:691. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he can offer assurances to practicing criminal solicitors and barristers that the allocation for legal aid for 2025 is adequate to meet the demands of the scheme and the provision of vital legal services to accused persons in Ireland, in accordance with our international obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51514/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Ward
Ceist:693. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the total criminal legal aid budget for 2025; the amount of the budget which has been expended by the end of August 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 689, 690, 691 and 693 together.
Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid. Increases in the length and complexity of criminal cases and in the number of legal aid certificates granted have had an impact on expenditure over recent years.
The General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill 2023 was published in July 2023. The core purpose of the Bill is to transfer the administration of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board and update the administration of criminal legal aid. This Bill will modernise the operation of the scheme, introducing strengthened oversight and governance structures. As the Deputy will be aware, the level of fees payable have been increased by 18% over the last two years and my Department is engaging with the legal professions in relation to reform of the scheme.
An initial provision of €91 million was made available for this demand-led scheme in this year's budget. Payments under the scheme continue to be made and expenditure to end of August was €83.5m. A further €8 million has therefore been made available in the further Revised Estimates which I presented to Dáil Éireann last week.
Expenditure continues to be kept under review and I will seek additional funding if required by way of supplementary estimate later in the year.
Question No. 690 answered with Question No. 689.
Question No. 691 answered with Question No. 689.