Departmental Legal Cases

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Ceisteanna (213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219)

Grace Boland

Ceist:

213. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach whether his Department, or any body under its aegis, has funded, or is funding, other than where legal costs were awarded against the employer by a court or tribunal, the legal costs of any current or concluded litigation taken by an employee or former employee against that Department or body, in each of the past five years; if so, to provide details of the number of such cases, the bodies involved, and the total costs incurred in each year. [2029/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Grace Boland

Ceist:

214. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach the basis on which his Department, or a body under its aegis, may fund the legal costs of an employee or former employee in litigation where that employee is in dispute with, or taking proceedings against, the same body. [2047/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Grace Boland

Ceist:

215. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach whether the funding of employee legal costs in disputes against his Department, or a body under its aegis, is standard practice; if not, the circumstances in which such funding may be permitted. [2065/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Grace Boland

Ceist:

216. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach to outline the guidance, codes, circulars or directions that govern the payment of legal costs by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in employment-related disputes, including any requirements under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or Departmental sanction arrangements. [2083/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Grace Boland

Ceist:

217. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach whether the funding of employee legal costs in litigation against the employing body could give rise to governance, accountability, or value for money concerns; whether his Department has issued any guidance in this regard. [2101/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Grace Boland

Ceist:

218. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach whether his Department has reviewed, or intends to review, the practice of Departments, and bodies under their aegis, funding legal costs in employment disputes involving those same bodies; and if so, the outcome or timeline for such a review. [2119/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Grace Boland

Ceist:

219. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach whether arrangements to fund legal costs in employment disputes involving his Department, or bodies under its aegis, require the prior approval of his Department or the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. [2137/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 to 219, inclusive, together.

In the period specified, neither the Department of the Taoiseach nor the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department - funded legal costs of any current or concluded litigation taken by an employee or former employee against the Department or NESDO.

The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation is responsible for the setting of standards and guidance centrally for Departments and Offices and the issue of associated Circulars. That Department also has responsibility for any review and/or update of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 218 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 220 answered with Question No. 198.

Question No. 221 answered with Question No. 198.