Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Family Law Cases.

John Dennehy

Question:

420 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proportion of all cases dealt with through the free legal aid system in 2001 that related to family law cases; if he will consider establishing a separate legal aid board to deal specifically with family law cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25261/01]

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

I have been informed by the Legal Aid Board that the vast majority of legal aid certificates issued by the board – approximately 96% during 2000 – relate to the area of family law and, in this context, I do not consider that separate measures are required to deal with such cases.