Mary Harney
Question:8 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the current position in relation to the waiting lists for free civil legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17297/96]
Written Answers. - Legal Aid Scheme.
Batt O'Keeffe
Question:24 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he intends to increase funding to the State legal aid system by 50 per cent in line with the implementation of the Divorce Bill, 1996, and consequent on the demand of the Chairman of the Bar Council. [14356/96]
Brendan Smith
Question:32 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform when a full-time law centre will be established in Cavan; the anticipated staffing complement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17617/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 24 and 32 together.
As and from September 1996 there are 27 full-time law centres operated by the Legal Aid Board. The waiting periods for legal aid advice in each of the 26 centres operating on 31 August, 1996 are set out in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
In seven centres the waiting time was one month or less, in five centres the time was between one and two months, in nine centres the time was between two and four months, in four centres the time was between four and six months, and in one centre the time was eight months. Waiting times are continually reviewed by the board and where waiting times, for whatever reason, become excessive the position is examined by the board with a view to taking whatever remedial action is considered necessary. Appropriate steps have been taken to reduce the waiting list in those centres where increases have occurred. I should point out, however, that the very success of the board in carrying out its mandate raises its profile and attracts an ever increasing number of applicants for legal aid and advice.
A new full-time law centre was opened in Navan in September bringing the total number of full-time law centres to 27. I am advised that Cavan law centre, with a staffing complement of three, will be opening in early November and two new centres, at Newbridge and Tullamore, are expected to open to the public by the end of 1996. This will bring the total number of full-time law centres to 30, and should lead to reductions in waiting times in those and adjacent catchment areas.
The reduction in waiting times for appointments with solicitors and the expansion of the scheme of civil legal aid and advice have been among my priorities since taking office. I have ensured, and will continue to ensure, that the board has the resources to expand and develop its services, consistent with its requirement to provide legal aid and advice as widely and as quickly as possible throughout the country. The extra resources which I have provided over the past four years is evidence of my resolve in this regard.
The rapid and nationwide expansion the Legal Aid Board has undergone since 1992 has been undertaken in order to ensure that an effective civil legal aid and advice structure is in place to provide, among other matters, legal aid and advice to couples whose marriages have broken down. This expansion can now be seen as necessary and timely having regard to an anticipated increase in applications to the board for legal services on the introduction of divorce. Funding to the Legal Aid Board has increased from just under £2.7 million in 1992 to £6.5 million in 1996. This represents an increase of just over 240 per cent. In the same period the staffing levels in the board have increased from 99 to 224, an increase of just over 225 per cent. I will continue my efforts to ensure that sufficient resources are made available to the Legal Aid Board to enable it to provide an adequate response to all challenges which it may face in the future and, in particular, the challenge which will be posed by the introduction of divorce legislation, subject of course to budgetary considerations.
Law Centres Waiting List as of 31 August 1996.
|
Centre |
Waiting Period |
|
Ennis, Co. Clare |
1 month |
|
Popes Quay, Cork |
3 months |
|
South Mall, Cork |
3 months |
|
Letterkenny, County Donegal |
5.5 months |
|
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 |
4 months |
|
Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
1.5 months |
|
Finglas, Dublin 11 |
0.5 months |
|
Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 |
3.5 months |
|
Mount Street, Dublin 2 |
4.5 months |
|
Ormond Quay, Dublin 1 |
1 month |
|
Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
1 month |
|
Galway |
2 months |
|
Tralee, County Kerry |
8 months |
|
Kilkenny |
0.5 months |
|
Portlaoise, County Laois |
5.5 months |
|
Limerick |
3 months |
|
Longford |
3 months |
|
Dundalk, County Louth |
2.5 months |
|
Castlebar, County Mayo |
1.5 months |
|
Monaghan |
none |
|
Sligo |
3 months |
|
Nenagh, County Tipperary |
1.5 months |
|
Waterford |
none |
|
Athlone, County Westmeath |
3 months |
|
Wexford |
2 months |
|
Wicklow |
4.5 months |