Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014
303. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the spend by her Department on free legal aid in civil and criminal cases in the years from 2011 to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35456/14]
View answerCriminal Legal Aid Scheme:
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 granting of aid is a matter for the court.
|
Year |
Total Amount of Expenditure (€ million) |
|
2011 |
56.1 |
|
2012 |
50.5 |
|
2013 |
50.9 |
|
2014 (January - August) |
33.3 |
Civil Legal Aid Scheme:
In respect of civil legal aid, this is provided by the Legal Aid Board, an independent State agency. Persons availing of civil legal aid pay a contribution towards the service, with some exceptions, so it is not a free service per se. Exchequer funding is provided by way of a grant-in-aid to the Board. The service is primarily provided through the Board's law centre network and by its own solicitors, although private practitioners on the Board's panels are engaged to provide a complementary service by the Board, mainly in District Court family law matters.
|
Year |
Exchequer Funding (€ million) |
|
2011 |
30.37 |
|
2012 |
32.92 |
|
2013 |
33.76 |
|
2014 (January - August) |
21.15 |
