Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
193 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is committed to retaining the services of the Legal Aid Board at Clonsilla Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 in view of the large population of the area and the demands for its services. [14696/04]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 the board has sole responsibility for deciding on the provision of services to clients, including the location of law centres.
The board's aim is to provide a cost effective and professional service, in a timely manner, to the greatest number of persons possible within available resources. Part of its remit is to constantly monitor the operation of its law centre network, including the location of law centres. This is done to ensure that its services are available to the greatest number of people from within its available resources. The board is examining the possible benefits of relocating some or all of its suburban law centres in Dublin to locations in the city centre to bring them closer to the courts. I have not received firm proposals to do so. I expect that proposals by the Courts Service on the location of family law court sittings would be taken into account.
