State child and family agency Tusla was forced to pay privately for legal representation for a vulnerable 17-year-old in the Children's Court due to an ongoing solicitors' strike over criminal legal aid fee reforms, according to a criminal defence solicitor.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's This Week programme, solicitor Holly Laher of Ferrys Solicitors said Tusla "had to dip into their own pockets out of desperation" to ensure the teenager had legal representation. Laher stated that the 17-year-old has been in state care since the age of two and is currently before the court regarding a serious matter.

According to Laher, Tusla approached her firm to represent the youth privately because he could not access representation under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. Laher warned that without swift legal representation, the teenager faced the risk of aging out of the juvenile justice system, leaving the matter unresolved. She argued that responsibility for the child's lack of access to legal aid lies with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.

The dispute stems from a payment model introduced by O'Callaghan on July 1. Under the revised scheme, solicitors receive a flat fee of €520 per legal aid client regardless of the number of court appearances or individual charges involved. Defence solicitors argue the structure is unworkable, particularly for complex cases involving vulnerable clients, juveniles, or individuals with complex needs.

The dispute has led to widespread withdrawals of service by criminal defence solicitors, resulting in thousands of court adjournments across Ireland. Despite the ongoing industrial action, Minister O'Callaghan recently defended the reform and asserted that the court system continues to operate effectively.