The information requested in relation to the expenditure incurred by my Department since 2016 towards the provision of external legal services is set out in the table below. These costs refer, in the main, to legal fees in respect of the Irish Youth Justice Service and the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, with the exception of 2018, where costs relating to the Children Referendum arose. Certain costs incurred by the Irish Youth Justice Service include settlement fees. Legal fees as set out in the following table exclude any costs incurred directly by my Department's agencies.
Year
|
Cost (€)
|
2016
|
253,688
|
2017
|
288,598
|
2018
|
1,059,732
|
2019
|
614,731
|
2020 (ytd)
|
125,029
|