Thomas P. Broughan
Question:67 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has to give any further role to the new Civil Legal Aid Board in the provision of legal education for local communities. [12529/95]
Written Answers. - Civil Legal Aid Board.
The Civil Legal Aid Bill, 1995, which puts the Legal Aid Board on a statutory basis, provides that the principal function of the board shall be to provide legal aid and advice in civil cases to persons who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. I have also provided in the Bill that the board shall to such extent and in such manner as it considers appropriate, disseminate, for the benefit of those for whom its services are made available, information in relation to those services and their availability. As Minister I shall be in a position under the Bill to assign to the board such additional functions as I consider to be incidental to or consequential on the functions assigned to it by the legislation.
Those provisions in relation to the functions of the board will allow it to operate the scheme of civil legal aid and advice to the best possible advantage to the public, consistent with its resources.