Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
144. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total cost to her Department, and those under her aegis, for the procurement of legal services in the State from 2011 to 2015 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44578/15]
View answerThe following table sets out the total cost to the Department for the procurement of legal services in the State from 2011 to 2015, including legal costs awarded against the Department.
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2011 |
1,121,000 |
|
2012 |
236,000 |
|
2013 |
407,000 |
|
2014 |
668,000 |
|
2015 to date |
610,381 |
|
Total: |
€3,042,381 |
Costs relating to prosecutions arising from fraudulent claims made to the Department are borne by the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Pensions Ombudsman, the Pensions Authority, the Citizens Information Board, and the Social Welfare Tribunal. The costs of legal services in these statutory bodies from 2011 to 2015 are set out in the following tables:
The Pensions Ombudsman:
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2011 |
76,462 |
|
2012 |
111,945 |
|
2013 |
146,207 |
|
2014 |
225,262 |
|
2015 to date |
205,977 |
|
Total: |
€765,853 |
The Pensions Authority:
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2011 |
373,000 |
|
2012 |
371,000 |
|
2013 |
78,000 |
|
2014 |
42,000 |
|
2015 to date |
54,000 |
|
Total: |
€918,000 |
Citizens Information Board:
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2011 |
7,108 |
|
2012 |
33,797 |
|
2013 |
74,543 |
|
2014 |
2,151 |
|
2015 to date |
40,591 |
|
Total: |
€158,190 |
There were no legal fees paid in respect of the Social Welfare Tribunal from 2011 to 2015.
