Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 June 2012
118 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of legal aid paid annually in terms of the most recent figures available for County Galway and that figure as a percentage paid out over the same period nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29976/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that although it is not specifically stated, I am assuming he is seeking the figures for the year 2011.
As the Deputy will be aware, legal aid services within this State are divided into two separate categories, namely civil legal aid through the Legal Aid Board under the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid 1995 and criminal legal aid through the Courts and the Judiciary under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962.
Relevant details under both categories are set below separately as follows:
Civil Legal Aid
The Legal Aid Board spent €54,207 in County Galway during 2011. This represents 3% of the Legal Aid Board's Private Practitioners Budget.
Criminal Legal Aid
The Deputy should note that details of payments made to barristers are not available because relevant addresses on the Department's payments system are shown only as payments to the Law Library and therefore cannot be differentiated. The information being provided in this category is therefore in respect of solicitors only. A total of €852,114 was paid to Galway Solicitors in 2011, which represents 2.94% of total payments nationally.
