Vol. 490 No. 2
248 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the independent legal service for applicants for asylum will be established; if he will give details of the allocation it will receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9820/98]
249 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will allocate additional resources to the independent legal service for applicants for asylum in order to ensure that the backlog of applications is cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9821/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
Advertisements inviting tenders to provide a refugee legal service, an independent organisation which will provide free legal advice and representation for asylum seekers were published in daily and Sunday papers of 17, 19 and 20 April 1998. The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is Friday, 1 May and for receipt of completed tenders is Friday, 22 May 1998.
As a tendering process is involved I cannot give details of a specific allocation which might be payable to the successful applicant. The allocation of resources will be decided when tenders are received and evaluated. This evaluation will be carried out in conjunction with the UNHCR.
