{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/6a71bcf2e9d2c023deaff2cd?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"€6.6 Million Spent on Legal Aid for International Protection Cases as Aontú Calls for Scrutiny - 04/08/2026","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/1785830631633-bfe986e8-fcf0-49ea-ad73-e4cedd8ed92f.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The State’s legal aid bill for international protection cases has risen sharply over the past four years, with new figures from the Department of Justice showing spending has increased from around €1 million in 2021 to approximately €6.6 million this year.</p><p><br></p><p>The figures have sparked renewed debate around Government spending, the cost of processing international protection applications, and whether taxpayers are getting value for money from the current system.</p><p><br></p><p>Aontú has been critical of the increase, arguing that the scale of spending warrants greater scrutiny. The party says the rise reflects the growing number of international protection cases coming through the system and is questioning whether the current approach is sustainable.</p><p><br></p><p>We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}