Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 May 1997

Vol. 479 No. 3

Written Answers. - Law Centre Staff.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

65 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if a third solicitor will be appointed to the Law Centre, Athlone, County Westmeath, in view of the fact that there has been a 43 per cent increase in demand at the centre in the past 12 months; if he will facilitate a second clinic per month in Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13020/97]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

I am informed by the Legal Aid Board that there was an increase of 42 per cent in the level of demand for services at Athlone Law Centre between 1995 and 1996, which resulted in a significant increase in the number of applicants waiting for legal services from the centre. However, the opening of the law centre at Tullamore earlier this year facilitated the transfer of some of those applicants, particularly those from the Offaly area, to the Tullamore law centre, which helped considerably in alleviating the pressure on Athlone.

Because of this and other initiatives taken by the Legal Aid Board, waiting times at Athlone have fallen from eight months in January 1997 to 2.5 months at the end of April. In the circumstances there are no proposals to increase the frequency of the "clinic" which is held at the parttime law centre in Mullingar, a location which is well situated in relation to a number of law centres, which include Athlone, Longford, Tullamore and Navan. I should add, however, that waiting times are continually reviewed by the board and where they become excessive the position is examined by the board with a view to taking remedial action, as appropriate.