asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for consultations at the law centres; if he considers this to be satisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Law Centres.
27.
The waiting periods at the 12 law centres operated by the Legal Aid Board in respect of applications for legal aid in ordinary cases i.e. non-emergency cases, are shown in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
There is an indefinite waiting period at present, at two law centres — the centres at Aston Quay, Dublin and the Galway centre. All the other centres are taking on new cases with various waiting periods ranging from a few days in some centres to 12 to 14 weeks in the case of centres at Gardiner Street and Tallaght.
I want to stress that delays, where they are occurring, relate to non-emergency cases. Cases which the board considers to be emergency cases — those which require immediate access to a court — continue to be dealt with as they arise at all law centres.
Scheme of Civil Legal Aid and Advice.
Waiting periods for applicants in non-emergency legal aid cases.
|
Law Centre |
Waiting Period |
|
Dublin (Ormond Quay) |
about 6 to 8 weeks |
|
Dublin (Aston House) |
indefinite waiting period |
|
Dublin (Gardiner St.) |
about 12 weeks |
|
Dublin (Tallaght) |
about 14 weeks |
|
Waterford |
about 2 to 3 days |
|
Athlone |
about 6 weeks |
|
Cork (North Mall) |
about 3 to 4 days |
|
Cork (South Mall) |
about 5 to 6 weeks |
|
Tralee |
about 2 to 3 weeks |
|
Limerick |
about 2 weeks |
|
Galway |
indefinite waiting period |
|
Sligo |
about 6 weeks |