Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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237. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will examine the matter of pay for public defender barristers who currently due to cuts from 2008 to 2011, are paid in line with rates set in 2002 whilst State solicitors who work on the same cases are paid at rate fixed as a result of pay restoration in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32878/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 247 together.

I fully acknowledge and appreciate the very important work undertaken by barristers who prosecute criminal work on behalf of the State and my Department has engaged constructively with key stakeholders including the Bar Council of Ireland, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice in relation to this matter. In particular it has sought evidence to support any claims that the reductions imposed are linked to significant recruitment and retention issues, thereby potentially adversely impacting the administration of justice. While my Department has not yet been provided with evidential data to support such claims., it remains available to review any further information that may be provided.

My Department has also sought advices from the Attorney General's Office as to whether the State has an obligation in relation to these professional fees. My Department will continue to keep this issue under review and engage with key stakeholders, as appropriate.

As it relates to the matter of State Solicitor pay, it should be noted that pay rates here differ from fees paid to counsel by the State. State Solicitor pay has an established link with the Assistant Principal or AP grade within the Civil Service - it comprises a personal element for the individual State Solicitor which is equivalent to the AP salary, a staffing element related to Clerical Officer grade and an expenses element that increases in relation to certain Consumer Price Index movements. The personal and staffing elements currently attract changes as per National Wage Agreements.