Claire Kerrane
Question:1074. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the promised review of the civil legal aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16655/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (1074)
Written answers
In its forty years of operation, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law.
However, since the Scheme was set up, Irish society has changed, and the demands of the service have grown. In order to provide maximum benefit to those it was established to serve, within the finite resources available to fund legal aid, a robust, comprehensive review of the Scheme is now under way. This review will include consideration of eligibility limits.
Minister McEntee announced last year that a Review Group would be established and chaired by former Chief Justice Frank Clarke. The membership of the group is drawn from those who work with marginalised groups, legal practitioners, academics, Department officials and representatives from the Legal Aid Board, which administers the statutory scheme. The Group's report is expected by the end of this year.
As part of the review, a comprehensive process of consultation is being conducted to ensure that a wide range of views and insights regarding the operation of the Scheme – and how best to support those of limited means with legal needs – is captured.
A call for submissions, from key stakeholders, launched last November, was the first element of the consultation and closed on 28th February 2023.
The Group also launched a public survey to capture the views of those who have experience of the civil legal aid scheme or who have applied for it. The public survey also closed on 28th February 2023.
The third strand of consultation, focused on hard to reach groups, is approaching conclusion.
The results of all elements of the consultation are now being reviewed by the Review Group and will inform its work.
Great credit is due to the Legal Aid Board, and to all the staff and legal practitioners involved in providing the Legal Aid Scheme since its inception, and the review underway will ensure its future development is positioned to meet the needs of contemporary Irish society.