Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in respect of the announcement of 3 February 2009, it is intended to effect the 8% reduction in professional fees in relation to services provided to or funded by his Department; the amount expected to be saved in his Department's budget as a result of this process; if this decision will apply to all legal fees paid by the State; if it is intended to seek agreement on this process with professional bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7581/09]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way, in respect of the announcement of 3 February 2009, it is intended to achieve the general administrative reductions in regard to his Department; the amount expected to be saved in his Department's budget as a result of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7582/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 110 together.

I can confirm that in common with all other Departments, my Department is required to give effect to an 8% reduction in the rates for professional fees for services rendered to it from 1 March. Services provided by legal practitioners, including those provided by solicitors and barristers, will be subject to the reduced rates. By definition, the reduced rates of fees payable will yield a financial saving in my Department's Vote Group; while I cannot be precise about the amount at this stage, I anticipate it will be in the order of €3 million.

On the question of general administrative reductions, I can inform the Deputy that, in accordance with the Government's decisions on these matters, related budgetary savings will be achieved in my Department in 2009. Details of these reductions are still being finalised and will be published in the normal way in the Revised Estimates Volume next month. I cannot be precise about the amount to be saved in respect of these administrative reductions but I anticipate that it will be in the order of €10m.