Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
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385. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a full restoration of criminal legal aid fees will be introduced next year as per her comments in an article (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40228/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have consistently stated that I want to make progress in restoring criminal legal aid fees. Over the past 2 years I have secured an 18% increase in the fees paid under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

Under Budget 2024, I secured an additional €9 million which resulted in an increase of 10% in the fees paid to barristers and solicitors and under Budget 2025, announced last week, I secured a further €9 million, which will enable another 8% in fees to be paid under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme from 1 January 2025. As I have noted, this amounts to 18% over 2 years and it would be my intention that the fees paid under the Scheme would be fully restored as part of Budget 2026.

I recognise the important role played by the legal professions 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 and I would like to assure the Deputy that I am working to make sure that criminal law is an attractive profession to work in.

I would also like to express my appreciation for the ongoing co-operation of the Bar Council and Law Society with my Department and look forward to continued engagement with both representative bodies on the reform of Criminal Legal Aid. This continued engagement is essential to ensuring we have an effective legal system.