Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is under review and a General Scheme of a Criminal Legal Aid Bill is being prepared, the key purpose of which will be, to transfer the administration of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board and to otherwise update the administration of criminal legal aid.

My Department has consulted with the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board, An Garda Síochána, the Law Society and the Bar Council and a final draft of the General Scheme is being prepared with the objective of submitting it for Government approval later this year.

This Bill when enacted, will put on a statutory footing a number of Criminal Legal Aid Schemes such as the Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme, which is currently administered by the Legal Aid Board. 

As the Deputy may be aware, the issue of Criminal Legal Aid fees is being pursued with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, as the Department with responsibility for any restoration of barrister fees arising from the FEMPI cuts.

However, I can assure the Deputy that the Department of Justice will continue to engage on this issue with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, as appropriate.