Seán Barrett
Question:132 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Justice when he intends introducing the legislation to place the civil legal aid scheme on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Civil Legal Aid Scheme.
Work is proceeding on the preparation of legislative proposals to place the scheme of civil legal aid and advice on a statutory footing in line with the other legislation priorities in my Department. It is my intention to have the legislation ready this year.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:135 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his reasons for reducing the amount of funding provided for legal aid, if he intends to provide resources so that an effective and efficient service of legal aid is available and thereby lessen the hardship experienced by many people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the provision of moneys for the civil legal aid scheme. Contrary to what is said in the question, the grant to the Legal Aid Board to administer the scheme in 1991 is at its highest ever level at nearly £2.5 million. That compares with a figure of £2.163 million in 1990 and £1.6 million in 1989. That is an overall increase in a two year period of almost £0.9 million.
Last year I secured additional solicitor posts for the board and most of their administrative vacancies were filled. Also four law centres which had been temporarily funded up to 1989 were put on a permanent basis of Exchequer funding. This year the board will be able to open three additional law centres bringing the total number of full time centres to 15. There will also be a corresponding increase in solicitor and administrative staffing levels.
The position in relation to legal aid in criminal cases under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act, 1962 is that there has also been an increase in the moneys available from £2.75 million in 1990 to £2.95 million in 1991.