Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total legal costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49343/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the total legal costs incurred by my Department in 2011, 2012 and 2013 is €2,472,433.71.Total estimated legal costs incurred in 2014 for my Department amount to €602,956.59.

My Department seeks, where possible, to minimise legal costs and has adopted a number of measures to achieve this. The Department/offices avail of the services of the Chief State Solicitors office and the Attorney General’s office in terms of the provision of legal advice and in terms of representation of the Department/offices in Court cases. The services of legal cost accountants are availed of where fees demanded appear to be high. Additionally, in 2012 my Department completed a tendering process for prosecution and civil debt enforcement services in the case of the pursuance of employment rights cases on behalf of individuals.