asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his responsibility regarding the provision of a legal aid service in Kerry; and the extent to which this service is available there at the moment.
Written Answers. - Civil Legal Aid.
28.
Limerick East): I assume the Deputy is referring to civil legal aid. The Legal Aid Board administer the scheme of civil legal aid and advice but my consent is needed to the establishment of new full time law centres. I made a detailed statement about the scheme on 29 May last in answer to a number of Parliamentary Questions (Official Report, Volume 358, columns 2520 to 2523) and I would refer the Deputy to that statement.
In the course of that reply I indicated that arising from the fact that certain moneys had become available under a provision of the Funds of Suitors Act, 1984, the Government had authorised the establishment of a new full time law centre in Tralee to service Kerry. It was expected that that new centre would be in operation before the end of this year. However, the board's plans in regard to the centre are running a little behind time, but I understand from the board that they expect the centre to open in January.
The opening of new centres is, of course, subject to general financial constraints which apply in other areas also. Pending the establishment of a full time centre in Tralee the board have since 1983 provided legal aid services for Kerry through a part time centre at Tralee, serviced from Limerick. The level of services there had to be reduced due to pressures at Limerick and for the past year the service at Tralee has been provided on the basis of fortnightly attendances by a solicitor from Limerick.