Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent and cost of free legal aid awarded in criminal cases in each of the past five years to date; the number of convictions or acquittals in such cases; the number of prison sentences imposed; the number of such cases that were subject to appeal; the outcome of the appeal; the number of such cases recidivist in nature with particular reference to homicide; the number of persons convicted and currently on release for whatever reason. [47119/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which the cost of free legal aid in criminal cases has increased or decreased in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47631/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 237 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of criminal legal aid. The expenditure for the past 5 years is set out in the following table.

I understand that the other details sought by the Deputy are not readily available and that they could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.