Written answers
Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Department of Children and Youth Affairs
Child and Family Agency Expenditure
Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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226. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason Tusla is funding representation on behalf of individual managers. [24533/19]
Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has various legal engagements across its operations, most often in the Courts on care and other matters, for example judicial reviews, or as witnesses. If there is a need for representation that is related in some way to a person's current or past employment, it is not unprecedented for employers to provide support in this regard. It can be expected that such support is assessed on a case by case basis by those involved, and a person may, depending on the circumstances and if they wish, engage their own representation.
Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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227. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the substantial and costly legal representation being provided by Tusla to a family member of one of its employees. [24534/19]
Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Following clarification from the Deputy's office, I understand the question relates to fees paid to a family member of a Tusla, Child and Family Agency employee for the provision of legal services.
I understand that legal representation is procured by Tusla through an established framework,which seeks to obtain the best value for money at all times.
A solicitor, or firm of solicitors, which has been procured by Tusla in a particular case, will choose to select its own counsel (or barrister) to represent it in court. This decision-making process is part of the role of the procured legal firm.
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