Sweeping new changes have been announced to the criminal legal aid system.
For the first time a Judge will now be in a position to decide if an individual should pay for or make a contribution towards their legal costs.
There will be fines of up to €4,000, or a 6 month jail term for anyone who doesn't disclose their finances.
Minister Helen McEntee says a Judge will be able to request financial information before making a decision on whether to award free legal aid.
"A judge can make a decision that they will need to seek further financial assessments through the legal aid board.
"Once they then receive that information from the legal aid board, a judge can decide that a person may have to contribute or pay part of their own cost."
