Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 6

Written Answers - Legal Aid Service.

Seán Ryan

Question:

120 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the waiting time for appointments at legal aid centres at Nenagh, Thurles and Clonmel; and the exact staffing levels in the Tipperary Legal Aid Service on 31 January. [5097/03]

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

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to waiting times for legal services at the three service points operated by the Legal Aid Board in County Tipperary is set out in following tabular statement:

Tipperary Law Centres	January 2002 Waiting Time in Months
Nenagh (full-time centre)	10
Thurles (part-time centre)	10.25
Clonmel (part-time centre)	11

The Legal Aid Board does not routinely collect information in relation to an average waiting time for people seeking its services. It does record the length of time that the person longest on the waiting list has waited.

The number and grades of staff assigned to the Nenagh law centre as at 31 January 2002 was two solicitors and three support staff. In this regard, under section 30 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 responsibility for deciding how legal services should be provided is solely a matter for the board.

The board operates a procedure whereby priority is accorded for certain categories of cases, for example, domestic violence, child care, child abduction and cases where there are time limits. These cases are dealt with immediately without the applicant being placed on a waiting list. Such cases constitute over 20% of the cases dealt with by the board. A priority system is necessary to ensure that persons who are subjected to domestic violence and cases involving the care of children are provided with a speedy service.

The board continually monitors the operation of its law centre network. Where waiting times, for whatever reasons, become excessive the position is examined by it with a view to taking remedial action.