Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Law Centre Closures.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

555 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reasons for the closure of the Law Centre at 47 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2, and moving the staff of five solicitors and five part time back up staff to North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7; if he will reconsider his decision as it means that there is no law centre on the south side of the Liffey, as far as Wicklow, with three law centres on the north side and taking into account that each of the solicitors working in Upper Mount Street would have between 150 to 200 clients a year with an eight month waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12232/01]

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

The Deputy will be aware that under the terms of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995, the Legal Aid Board has sole responsibility for the provision of legal services, including the location of law centres. The Deputy will also be aware that the Mount Street premises was the original head office for the Legal Aid Board and that this premises was retained by the board as a law centre when, arising out of an increase in staff numbers, its head office moved to its present location in St. Stephen's Green House. I am advised that following an increase in rent, which more than tripled this year, it became uneconomical for the board to continue to retain this premises to accommodate the law centre, which has a compliment of ten members of staff.

I understand that the board has acquired a property for the Refugee Legal Service in the Smithfield area, which is close to the courts and that this property has sufficient space to also accommodate the staff of the Mount Street Law Centre. I am informed that the board is conscious that the relocation may cause a degree of inconvenience to some of its clients at present served by Mount Street Law Centre. However, the board considers that the Smithfield premises, which is new and purpose-built, will offer much improved facilities to clients, particularly in terms of access for older and-or disabled people, and that the new premises are readily accessible by public transport and, close to the proposed Luas line. I am assured that the board will endeavour to minimise the impact of the relocation of the law centre on its clients. I am also advised that the relocation to the Smithfield address should improve ease of access to the courts for the solicitors from the Mount Street centre and, as such, should assist the board in its efforts to increase the throughput of cases in the Dublin area.