Ciara Conway
Question:785. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount that was spent on free legal aid schemes here in 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1376/13]
View answerWednesday, 16 January 2013
Questions (785)
Written answers
I can inform the Deputy that the provision of legal aid falls within two separate categories, i.e criminal legal aid and civil legal aid. Details in respect of each category are set out in the accompanying table:
Criminal Legal Aid
The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means. Under the Act, the grant of legal aid entitles the applicant to the services of a solicitor and, in certain circumstances, up to two counsel, in the preparation and conduct of their defence or appeal. The assignment of lawyers or the granting of aid are matters for the Court and, as such, are handled by the judiciary.
|
Year |
Total amount of expenditure (€ million) |
|
2010 |
56.5 |
|
2011 |
56.1 |
|
2012 |
50.5 |
Civil Legal Aid
The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory body which provides legal aid and advice in civil law matters. All Board services are governed by the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations.
The Board's funding is made up of funding for civil legal aid and the Refugee Legal Service for 2010 and 2011. Funding for 2012 also includes the Family Mediation Service.
|
Year |
Total amount of expenditure (€ million) |
|
2010 |
32.192 |
|
2011 |
30.370 |
|
2012 |
32.922 |
I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board provides 'legal aid' and not 'free legal aid'. The vast majority of persons receiving services from the Board pay a small financial contribution.