Vol. 502 No. 1
91 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, to provide legal aid for asylum seekers; the staff, including translators, recruited to provide the ser vice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7198/99]
I have entered into an arrangement with the Legal Aid Board for the provision of a refugee legal service. This service commenced operations on 22 February 1999 from the Refugee Applications Centre in Lower Mount Street and it will be fully operational including the provision of representation at appeals in April 1999. It is an independent, comprehensive legal service to assist asylum seekers in exercising their legal rights in all aspects of the Irish asylum procedure.
Some 32 posts were sanctioned on a contract basis for the new refugee legal service and 25 posts have already been filled. In addition to the service being provided by solicitors employed by the board, the board will be engaging private solicitors who will be paid on a fee per case basis, in accordance with the board's private practitioners' scheme for legal services as provided for certain District Court family law cases. The Legal Aid Board is in the process of establishing a panel of private practitioners who will provide such a service in compliance with the board's terms and conditions.
Comprehensive training commenced on 13 January 1999 and is provided on an ongoing basis. This training is provided in conjunction with the UNHCR. Interpretation and translation services will be provided as required by private agencies.
The Legal Aid Board will also be taking over responsibility from the UNHCR for the management of the Research and Documentation Centre.
