Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 5

Written Answers. - Legal Aid Service.

Seán Ryan

Question:

147 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of solicitors and support staff employed by the law centres around the country; the average waiting time for an appointment with a solicitor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3117/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out on the associated tables. Table 1 details the number of solicitors and support staff employed by the Legal Aid Board in each of its law centres as of December 2002. Table 2 shows the length of time the person longest on the waiting list has waited as of December 2002 by law centre. I would mention to the Deputy that the board does not routinely collect information relating to an average waiting time for people seeking its services. However, it does record the length of time the person longest on the waiting list has waited.

I can inform the Deputy that the allocation of increased funding and resources to the Legal Aid Board in recent years, up from €10.656 million in 1997 to €17.075 million in 2003, has enabled the board to provide legal services to a greater number of people and has led to a significant reduction in waiting times.

I can also inform the Deputy that the board operates a procedure whereby priority is accorded for certain categories of cases, for example, domestic violence, child care, child abduction and other cases where there are time limits. These cases are dealt with immediately. Such a system for priorities is necessary to ensure that, for example, persons who are subjected to domestic violence and cases involving the care of children are provided with a priority service. In 2001, the total number of priority appointments offered by law centres was approximately 1,500, or about 22% of the total number of appointments offered to new clients during the year. I can also inform the Deputy that the board continuously monitors the operation of its law centre network and where waiting times, for whatever reasons, become excessive the position is examined by the board with a view to taking remedial action. In this regard, I would remind the Deputy that under section 30 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, responsibility for deciding how services should be provided is solely a matter for the Legal Aid Board.

Table 1

No. of Solicitors and Support Staff in Law Centres – December, 2002

Law Centre	No. of Solicitors	No. of SupportStaff
Brunswick St.	5	7
Blanchardstown	3	4.5
Clondalkin	3.5	4
Finglas	4	6.5
Gardiner St.	6	7
Ormond Quay	4	4
Tallaght	4	5
Athlone	2	3.5
Castlebar	2	2.5
Cavan	1	2
Cork Nth	6	7
Cork Sth	5	5.5
Dundalk	2	3
Ennis	3	3
Galway	5	5
Kilkenny	3	4
Letterkenny	2.5	4
Longford	1	2
Limerick	3	4
Monaghan	1	2
Navan	2	3
Nenagh	3	3.5
Newbridge	3	4
Portlaoise	2	3
Sligo	2	3
Tralee	3	4
Tullamore	2	3
Waterford	2.5	4.5
Wexford	3	4
Wicklow	3	4

Table 2

Maximum Waiting Time in Months – December, 2002

Law Centre
Athlone	2.75
Castlebar	2.75
Cavan	0.00
Popes Quay	6.00
South Mall	6.00
Blanchardstown	0.50
Clondalkin	1.25
Finglas	3.75
Gardiner St	3.00
Brunswick St	6.50
Ormond Quay	8.25
Tallaght	5.50
Dundalk	3.75
Ennis	7.50
Galway	3.50
Kilkenny	6.25
Letterkenny	6.25
Limerick	4.25
Longford	1.75
Monaghan	1.75
Navan	6.75
Nenagh	9.00
Newbridge	4.00
Portlaoise	5.00
Sligo	1.50
Kerry	3.00
Tullamore	3.50
Waterford	1.00
Wexford	1.75
Wicklow	9.50