Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 September 2013
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the costs or the funding of criminal legal aid in each year from 2004 to date, inclusive; the number of instances in respect of which such aid was refused in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40088/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTotal expenditure on criminal legal aid for the years referred to by the Deputy was as follows:
|
YEAR |
EXPENDITURE |
|
2004 |
€34.1m |
|
2005 |
€40.2m |
|
2006 |
€42.1m |
|
2007 |
€46.3m |
|
2008 |
€55.3m |
|
2009 |
€60.3m |
|
2010 |
€56.5m |
|
2011 |
€56.1m |
|
2012 |
€50.5m |
|
2013 - Jan to 31 Aug |
€33.9m |
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. I have no function in this matter. The Courts Service has advised that it is not able to provide the statistics requested by the Deputy in respect of the refusal of applications for Criminal Legal Aid by the courts.
