Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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3343. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41595/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In general, decisions around fee arrangements and applicable rates are a matter for the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) and when external legal services are procured, fees are agreed on a case-by-case basis.

All legal costs for my Department are included within the published Appropriation Accounts, under 6.1 within Vote 45. Please find the link below. The 2024 Accounts are currently under audit and will be published once the audit is complete.

Appropriation Accounts - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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3344. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41613/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that legal costs incurred by my Department did not exceed their initial or approved costs in the period referred to by the Deputy.

All legal costs for my Department are included within the published Appropriation Accounts, under 6.1 within Vote 45. Please find the link below. The 2024 Accounts are currently under audit and will be published once the audit is complete.

Appropriation Accounts - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General