Joe Walsh
Question:759 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amounts claimed by or paid to date to solicitors in respect of work carried out in relation to payment of equality arrears; and the names of such solicitors. [15757/96]
Written Answers. - Payments of Legal Costs.
The total amount paid, up to and including 19 July 1996, in respect of legal costs to solicitors acting for women who initiated legal proceedings arising from the delay in according them equal treatment under the equal treatment directive, is £2,037,167.12. The exact amount of bills of costs for these payments is not available to my Department at present but the amount is excess of £4 million. The question as to the extent to which the amounts paid to individual solicitors and the names of such solicitors can be divulged is under consideration and legal advice is being sought.