Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 4

Written Answers - Legal Aid Centres.

Liz McManus

Question:

101 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that clients are waiting up to 11 months to be able to avail of the legal aid centre in Wicklow town; the way in which he intends to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18313/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am continually monitoring the position with regard to waiting times at law centres, in consultation with the Legal Aid Board and I am aware that waiting lists in some law centres have increased as a result of the introduction in recent years of additional family law legislation including the Domestic Violence Act, 1996 and the Family Law (Divorce) Act, 1996.

The Legal Aid Board continuously monitors demand in all law centres and, where appropriate, prioritises certain cases which would fall into the family law category. An emergency service (i. e. cases in which applicants are not placed on waiting lists) is provided in cases where there is a real danger to children being taken out of the jurisdiction without the consent of the applicant, and in proceedings under the Domestic Violence Act, 1996, proceedings under the Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Orders Act, 1991 and for the defence of child care proceedings under the Child Care Act, 1991.

Regarding the Wicklow law centre, the Deputy may be aware that this centre was originally operated by one solicitor, however, an additional solicitor and typist have been assigned there within the last year. While the waiting list is long there has been a reduction in the last two months from 11.5 to ten months while the number of applicants on the waiting list has been reduced by nearly 20 per cent from 159 to 126 in the same period. Waiting times are continually reviewed by the board and where, for whatever reason, they become excessive the position is examined by the board and, where possible, appropriate remedial action is taken.