Some €9 million has been allocated to the criminal legal aid budget to cover the costs of the fee increase from 1 January 2025, which follows a 10 per cent fee increase in last year’s budget.

Fees are currently at 2002 levels as a result of cuts imposed after the 2008 crash, and have been eroded further in real terms by inflation and increases in the cost of living.

Justice minister Helen McEntee recently said that restoring fees to pre-2008 levels would cost around €15.7 million per year.

The government’s failure to deliver fee restoration has led to strikes by criminal barristers, who withdrew services for one day in October 2023 and over three days in July 2024.

The Department of Justice said yesterday that Mrs McEntee is “committed to building on” the increases already announced.

The Bar of Ireland has been contacted for comment.