Seán Barrett
Question:140 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Justice when the five additional law centres, announced by him in May 1991, will come into operation.
Written Answers. - Legal Aid Scheme.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:147 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice when the five additional law centres for free legal aid, announced by him in May, 1991, will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:148 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his plans, if any, for the expansion of the legal aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:149 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to allow the involvement of private practitioners in the delivery of legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Bell
Question:152 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice when the five additional law centres announced by him in May 1991 will actually come into operaiton; if he will give a commitment to (1) the continued expansion of the legal aid scheme in 1992 and (2) ensure the involvement of the private practitioner in the delivery of legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 147, 148, 149 and 152 together.
The record of the past two years or so is evidence that the Government are serious about the development of the legal aid scheme on a phased basis and in line with what we can afford to pay. The board's grant-in-aid has been increased each year since 1989.
Last year a substantial number of solicitor posts were sanctioned for the board and most of its administrative vacancies were filled. In addition, four law centres which, up to then had been temporarily funded, were put on a permanent basis of Exchequer funding.
At present, the board are in the process of recruiting solicitors for the additional full-time law centres which they will be opening shorlty, and also to fill existing vacancies. I am told by the board that the first of the newly recruited solicitors took up duty with the board yesterday. The remainder will start as soon as the necessary recruitment procedures are completed. These, when in place, will bring the number of solicitors employed by the board to 39, their highest number yet, and should make a significant impact on the quality of service which the board provides.
I am advised by the board that the new centres at Castlebar, Letterkenny and Dundalk are expected to be in operation by December next while those in the Dublin area, at Finglas and Clondalkin, should be in operation early in the new year.
My views on the involvement of the private practitioner in the provision of civil legal aid were expressed to the House on my behalf by my colleague the Minister for Social Welfare, in the course of a Private Member's motion on legal aid (Dáil Debates for 20 February 1990; Volume 395; columns 2530 and 2531). I received a report from the legal aid board in October 1990 on the matter and subsequently I contacted the Law Society which agreed to establish a special committee to look at the matter. When I receive the views of the Law Society I will consider the matter further.