Cost of free legal aid scheme falls 10%

The cost of the free legal aid scheme has fallen by 10% after three separate reductions in rates paid to solicitors and barristers.

According to figures supplied by Alan Shatter, the justice minister, the cost to date in 2012 is €46.16m which, according to Mr Shatter, “represents a welcome decrease of approximately 10% over the same period in 2011”.

In a written Dáil response, Mr Shatter said: “A number of measures aimed at achieving greater efficiencies in criminal proceedings are being implemented in collaboration with the relevant agencies and with cooperation from legal practitioners.”