Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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449. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the fees paid to persons (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38423/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is a vital element of the criminal justice system.

The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, which is the primary legislation covering the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. Under the Constitution, the State is obliged to provide an accused person with the means to obtain appropriate legal representation.

Criminal Legal Aid is demand led and the fees and expenses due to the legal practitioners are paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the schemes.

The fees paid to Senior Counsel and Junior Counsel in each of the last four years for criminal legal aid is set out in the following table.