Joe Walsh
Ceist:130 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the top ten payments made by his Department for professional legal fees incurred by claimants of equal treatment arrears; and the total amount paid to date. [12168/96]
Written Answers. - Equal Treatment Cases.
Under the terms of settlements reached with the legal representatives of married women who initiated legal proceedings arising from the delay in implementing the Equal Treatment Directive, my Department will meet the plaintiffs' legal fees. In the absence of agreement on the amounts involved, these costs will be adjudicated by the taxing master under the normal procedures whereby a solicitor's bill is examined by the taxing master who may either allow or reduce the amount involved.
The top ten payments made by my Department in respect of legal fees incurred to date, which included a total of 2.774 plaintiffs are £616,800.99; £502,079.40; £102,240.18; £96,806.97; £16,803.74; £14,588.23; £12,371.83; £12,092.00; £11,345.11 and £9,187.58.
The total amount paid to date in respect of legal fees is £1,610,696.14.