asked the Minister for Justice the number of law centres in Cork city and county; and if he is satisfied that their level of allocation meets their requirements.
Written Answers. - Cork Law Centres.
156.
The Legal Aid Board have two law centres in Cork city located at 24 North Mall and 96 South Mall. In addition there is a part time law centre at O'Brien Street, Mallow.
As was stated during the course of the Adjournment debate on 22 November, 1989 the Government have made available extra Exchequer funding of £425,000 to the board for 1990. This will, inter alia, keep open four law centres, including the one at South Mall, which, in the absence of extra funding, would have had to close at the end of the year. The board have also been allowed to take on a substantial number of staff at both solicitor and administrative levels. The increase over the board's allocation for 1989 is almost 25 per cent.
While the question of utilisation of resources is a matter entirely for the board, I am satisfied that in the present difficult financial circumstances, the Cork area is reasonably well served by the board.