Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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41. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on her plans to respond to the strikes of criminal law barristers; if she has plans to raise legal aid fees to pre-2008 levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44012/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 41 together.

I fully recognise the important role played by barristers and solicitors in the administration of criminal justice – both in the context of working to defend those accused and working with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of prosecutions.

I can assure the Deputy that the issue of criminal legal aid fees has been a priority for my Department and I am pleased to have secured funding of €9m to make progress in increasing the fees payable to legal professionals for criminal legal aid by 10% in early 2024. In conjunction with the increase in fees, the intention is to build on the strengths of the criminal legal aid scheme while addressing any issues relating to how it is structured.

Engagement will now begin with the legal professions for the purpose of working together to identify reforms to the fees, including automation of payments, which will support improved efficiency and governance in the administration of the scheme, and chart a path to greater transparency and fairness in the level of fees paid under criminal legal aid.

These are necessary reforms which will further support the reforms being introduced in the Criminal Legal Aid Bill.