Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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253. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to restore FEMPI cuts to the fees of free legal aid service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57358/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, counsel fees were reduced in both 2009 and 2010 respectively as part of a broader Government agenda to reduce escalating legal costs. Further cuts were imposed by the Minister for Justice in 2011 via statutory instrument primarily to control spending under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

It is worth noting that expenditure on legal aid incurred by the Department of Justice (Vote 24) has increased by 42% between 2016 and 2021, while the annual outturn relevant to the Legal Aid Board has risen by 23% over the same timeframe.

My Department continues to give careful consideration to this matter and will continue engagement with the Department of Justice and other stakeholders in the sector.