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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 2

Written Answers. - Legal Aid Service.

Noel Ahern

Question:

123 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the assistance, office or help lines available to a woman without significant income who was deserted by her husband five years ago, left to care for a family of small children and petitioned for divorce by her husband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3893/00]

As the Deputy will be aware, under section 7(3) of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995, the Legal Aid Board is independent in the exercise of its functions and I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which the Legal Aid Board is or may be concerned.

However, I have had inquiries made with the Legal Aid Board and have been advised that, if the person in question is a client of the Legal Aid Board and is on the waiting list of a law centre awaiting either an appointment to have her means assessed or an interview with a solicitor, the law centre in question will, on request, issue the person with a letter for the court stating that she is on the law centre's waiting list. It is open to her to present this letter to the court and an adjournment may be granted.

If the person in question is successful in her application and receives a legal aid certificate to defend the divorce proceedings, the Legal Aid Board will appoint a solicitor to act on her behalf. The board will also engage the services of a barrister for the duration of the court proceedings.

Perhaps the Deputy would advise the person in question to raise the matter directly with the board itself.

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