asked the Minister for Justice if he will specify his responsibilities regarding the provision of legal aid services in Dublin city and county; and the extent to which this service is available in Dublin city and county.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legal Aid.
2.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied with the operation of the civil legal aid scheme; if he feels improvements are required; if so, if he will specify the improvements that are required; and when they may be effected.
4.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the operation of the law centres; and if he will specify any proposed improvements and expansions in the system.
5.
asked the Minister for Justice if money can now be made available from the Funds of Suitors money to provide a free legal aid centre in Tallaght, County Dublin.
6.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement regarding the provision of a free legal advice centre for the project of community law centre for Tallaght, County Dublin, to be funded from the Funds of Suitors account.
7.
asked the Minister for Justice if funds will be made available to FLAC to subsidise the establishment of a community law centre in Tallaght, County Dublin, as the funds are available under the Funds of Suitors Act.
8.
asked the Minister for Justice if he intends funding the establishment of a community law centre in tallaght County Dublin, from the Funds of Suitors Act.
9.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will allocate sufficient moneys from the Funds of Suitors for the provision of a community law centre in the Tallaght area of Dublin.
10.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will agree to meet a deputation from FLAC to discuss the provision of a much-needed community law centre in the Tallaght area of Dublin.
11.
asked the Minister for Justice the up to date position regarding the provision of the proposed community law centre for Tallaght, Dublin 24.
12.
asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the urgent need for such a facility, moneys will be allocated from the Funds of Suitors account to provide a community law centre in Tallaght, County Dublin.
13.
asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on the application by Coolock community law centre for a grant under the money set aside from the suitors fund for civil legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14.
asked the Minister for Justice if it is intended to make funds available to the Coolock Law Centre under section 3 (2) (e) (iii) of the Funds of Suitors Act; if so, the amount involved; and when the money will be paid.
15.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his responsibility regarding the provision of a legal aid service in Cork city and county; and the extent to which this service is available there at present.
16.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of solicitor staff being assigned to the new law centre in Cork.
17.
asked the Minister for Justice if he has any plans to extend the number of law centres operated by the Legal Aid Board.
18.
asked the Minister for Justice if arrangements are being made for the establishment of a legal aid centre in Dundalk, County Louth.
19.
asked the Minister for Justice if arrangements are being made in his Department for the provision of a legal aid centre in Trim, County Meath.
20.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will increase the income limits for eligibility for legal aid and advice under the civil legal aid scheme.
21.
asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the comments made in the most recent annual report of the Legal Aid Board, the Government will exempt law centres from the embargo on recruitment in the public service.
22.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of law centres operated by the Legal Aid Board where applicants for legal advice or legal representation are not dealt with on an immediate basis because of pressure of work; and the average waiting time for each centre.
23.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the Galway law centre is being serviced by only one solicitor at present; and if he will ensure that a solicitor who is on maternity leave will be immediately replaced for the period of her absence.
24.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the serious under-staffing at the Galway law centre which provides civil legal aid to many hundreds of people in the Western area; and the steps he will take to enable the centre to deal satisfactorily with the large volume of work.
25.
asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to establish the Legal Aid Board on a statutory basis.
26.
asked the Minister for Justice the date of establishment of the Galway law centre; the number of cases the centre has dealt with since its establishment; the number of solicitors attached to it; the average delay in processing cases at the centre; and if he will consider the immediate sanctioning of extra legal staff to enable the centre to carry out its business more efficiently.
27.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is satisfied that the civil legal aid scheme is adequate given the fact that legal aid under the scheme cannot be extended to assessed persons appearing before tribunals such as the Employment Appeals Tribunal and social welfare hearings.
28.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his Department's policies regarding free legal advice centres and the allocation of funds for them; the amount being allocated this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.