PAC to examine accounts of Department of Justice and Chief State Solicitor’s Office

Committee Chairman John McGuinness TD said: “The Department of Justice and Equality and the Chief State Solicitor’s Officer are both before the Committee this week. The two appropriation accounts for 2011 are on the agenda as well as Chapter 15, which deals with a lease for a probation service premises which is unable to be used due to lack of planning permission.

“The future costs of the Morris Tribunal will be among the key issues to be examined with the Department. We will be keen to find out the Department’s best estimate of future liabilities in relation to the Morris Tribunal.

“Costs in relation to immigration and asylum are also likely to feature at tomorrow’s meeting.
Asylum seekers’ accommodation costs outturn was over the original estimate in 2011 by almost €2 million. Has the Department sought to reduce costs in relation to immigration and asylum such as seeking a reduction in rental costs and liaising with NAMA as regards possible accommodation?

“We will also like to ascertain if demand for legal aid has increased as a result of the recession and how is the Department controlling these costs.

“A total of €2.8 million was spent by the Department on the Office of the State Pathologist project which ceased when the contractor went into receivership. The partially completed structure at Marino has been demolished. What did this cost and can any of the €2.8m spent be recouped or deliver value in any way?

“Among the key issues in an examination of the Chief State Solicitor’s Office are the challenges facing the Office attracting and retaining high calibre staff. We will also consider the success of the Office in recovering costs awarded to the State and the steps it can take in relation to this. The Office has achieved significant savings in counsel fees from 2008 to 2012. The Committee will be interested in determining how this was achieved. We would also like to know how the Office ensures that State work is distributed in an equitable manner and how counsel are selected.”

This meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 at 10am tomorrow, Thursday, 21st March 2013.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:  http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
 
Committee of Public Accounts Membership
 
John McGuinness (Chairman)
Kieran O’Donnell (Vice Chairman)
Paul J Connaughton,
John Deasy,
Paschal Donohoe,
Gerald Nash,
Simon Harris,
Michael McCarthy,
Mary Lou McDonald,
Sean Fleming,
Eoghan Murphy,
Derek Nolan,
Shane Ross.