Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013
512. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the legal aid scheme will be expanded to provide free legal aid in the context of the newly formed Pyrite Resolutions Board; if he has had any discussions with the the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that Section 27 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 provides that legal aid may be available in civil proceedings conducted in the District Court, Circuit Court, the High Court or the Supreme Court. In addition the Minister for Justice and Equality, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may prescribe any other court or a tribunal for the purpose of making legal aid available. The only tribunal that has been prescribed to date is the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
I can also inform the Deputy that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government have not been in discussion with either my Department or the Legal Aid Board concerning the newly formed Pyrite Resolutions Board.
I have no plans to change the civil legal aid scheme at this time.
