83. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the issue of enduring cuts to criminal fees, which is impacting on the criminal justice system. [39255/24]

At the outset, I would like to note the important role played by legal practitioners in the administration of criminal justice.

The level of annual expenditure incurred by the Department of Justice on the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme rose by approximately 60% in the period between 2008 and 2023 which demonstrates the significant investment in this area.

As set out in section 10 of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, the primary legislation which provides for the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, it is the role of the Minister for Justice to prescribe the fee rates paid under the Scheme with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Justice announced a 10% increase to the fee rates paid to legal practitioners which took effect from 1 January 2024. This was progressed on the understanding that it would facilitate the Department of Justice to undertake a process of implementing reforms that will deliver greater efficiencies, transparency and governance of the Scheme - including the overall fee structure.

As the Deputy will appreciate, this is primarily a policy matter for the Minister for Justice to consider in the first instance and for the Department of Justice to continue to progress.