Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
351 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of providing free legal aid in 2003; the number of persons who availed of the scheme in 2003 more than two times during the year; and the amount paid out in overtime to the legal profession providing free legal aid for court sittings that took place after 4 p.m. [10711/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Legal Aid Board received a grant-in-aid of €18.389 million for the year 2003. In addition, a further €335,494 was received by the Legal Aid Board in client contributions in 2003 in accordance with the provisions of section 29(1)(b) of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995. Solicitors in the board are not paid overtime.
The cost of providing criminal legal aid in 2003 was €37.346 million. Overtime is not paid to members of the legal profession under the criminal legal aid scheme. However, supplementary refresher fees are payable to solicitors and barristers in cases that continue after 5 p.m. In 2003, the following "after 5" fees were paid to solicitors and barristers:
|
Claimant |
Number of claims |
Amount paid |
|
€ |
||
|
Solicitors |
214 |
273,000 |
|
Barristers |
403 |
918,562 |
Records are not maintained in a way which would readily identify the number of persons who availed of legal aid more than twice during the year and the information sought could be compiled only by the diversion of staff from other important work.
