Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1917. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of criminal legal aid certificates granted in the District Court for each of the years 2015 to 2024; the reasons for the increase in that number; the total costs for each year 2015 to 2024 of legal aid granted in the District Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40809/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid.

The Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is demand-led. Increases in the complexity of criminal cases and the number of legal aid certificates granted have had a significant impact on criminal legal aid expenditure over recent years.

As outlined in the Programme for Government 2025, the Government has committed to reforming the operation of Criminal Legal Aid. The general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill 2023 was published in July 2023. This Bill will modernise the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and is intended to:

• Update the law relating to Criminal Legal Aid;
• Transfer administrative responsibility of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme from the Department of Justice to the Legal Aid Board, and
• Strengthen oversight and governance structures for the Scheme.