I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 17 and 99 together.
I am happy to be in a position to inform the House that completion of the final phase of the development plan for the Legal Aid Board, the opening of the law centres in Tullamore and Newbridge, has recently occurred. I am sure those centres will make a significant contribution to the work carried out by the board.
The opening of the law centre in Tullamore on 27 January 1997 had an immediate impact on the waiting list in the law centre in Portlaoise. When the centre opened 62 persons were transferred from Portlaoise law centre to the Tullamore law centre. Also, it is expected that the new centre will reduce the numbers of persons who would otherwise be seeking legal services at the Portlaoise centre. In addition, since the centre opened some 18 persons have applied to the Tullamore centre from areas traditionally catered for from the Athlone law centre. This trend is expected to continue. It is also expected that persons who previously would have sought legal services from Nenagh law centre will now apply in Tullamore for the provision of services.
There was a pre-existent waiting list at the Newbridge law centre which was previously operated on a part-time basis from Finglas law centre. This list was taken over by the Newbridge law centre when it opened. The opening of the Newbridge centre should, accordingly, enhance both the service generally and reduce the pressure on Finglas law centre. In addition a number of existing clients transferred from Portlaoise to New- bridge when it opened and it is expected that persons who previously would have sought legal services from Navan law centre and some of the Dublin law centres will now apply instead to the Newbridge law centre.
The introduction of divorce will affect the numbers seeking appointments with Legal Aid Board solicitors. As of 26 February 1997 1,062 persons had registered with the Legal Aid Board seeking appointments with solicitors of the board on the coming into force of the Family Law (Divorce) Act, 1996 on 27 February 1997. The figure of 1,062 represents slightly less than 41 per cent of applicants for legal aid at the end of February.
There is a charge for the services of the Legal Aid Board. At present, the minimum charge amounts to £23 for this service. However, the board may, where the maximum income contribution is assessed at £23, either waive the contribution or accept a lower contribution if it considers that it would cause that person severe hardship to pay the maximum contribution. This provision also applies where the applicant is required to pay both an income and capital contribution. Therefore, applicants for legal aid are required to pay at least a minimum contribution which may be waived or reduced, should the board consider it necessary.
On the question of extending the Civil Legal Aid Act to people taking legal action on the grounds of discrimination in both the employment and non-employment areas, including travellers, the position is that legal advice is available to an applicant seeking the assistance of the board in respect of an alleged case of discrimination in either the employment or the non-employment areas, where the applicant meets the criteria for the grant of legal service as set out in the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995 and in the regulations made under that Act. Legal aid is available in similar circumstances where the proceedings in question are to be conducted in the District Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court or the Supreme Court. Also, the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995 contains a provision in section 27-(2) that enables me, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to make an order to extend legal aid to tribunal hearings. It would be my intention to consider the question of the operation of that provision in due course taking into account progress, workload, the situation of the Legal Aid Board and the demands the introduction of divorce will make on that service and the Exchequer position.