The waiting periods for applicants for legal aid in the various law centres are set out in a tabular statement which I propose to have circulated in the Official Report.
As regards emergency cases, I am informed by the Legal Aid Board that when a person first calls to a law centre the staff ascertain initially if the problem is one that is to be treated as an emergency. If so, the application is processed as quickly as possible having regard to the reasons why the problem was considered to be an emergency in the first instance.
The length of time it takes for a client to secure an initial appointment with a Legal Aid Board solicitor is as follows:
Waiting Periods for Applicants for Legal Aid
Athlone
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At present only emergency cases in Athlone are being dealt with.
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Castlebar
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A 1 month wait.
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Cork, North Mall
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A 6 month wait.
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Cork, South Mall
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A 7 month wait.
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Dublin, Gardiner Street
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A 10 month wait.
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Dublin, Ormond Quay
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An 8-10 week wait.
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Dublin, Tallaght
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As new applicants call, they are requested to contact the centre in January 1993 to have their names put on the waiting list.
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Dundalk
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A 6 week wait.
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Galway
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A 2½ month wait.
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Letterkenny
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A 3 month wait.
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Limerick
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A 20 month wait.
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Sligo
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An 8 week wait.
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Tralee
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A 6 month wait.
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Waterford
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A 6-8 week wait.
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As the remaining Dublin centre at Aston's Place will be closing on the opening of the new Clondalkin and Finglas centres, no new applications have been taken since March 1991. This centre is now assisting other law centres with their waiting lists.