Vol. 526 No. 1
96 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of vacancies for solicitors in legal aid board centres; the steps being taken to ensure that these vacancies are filled without delay; the number of solicitors who have left law centres in the Dublin area since October 1999; the number of these posts which are still vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25749/00]
The Deputy will be aware that under section 30 of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995, the Legal Aid Board has sole responsibility for the provision of services under the Act. The board's responsibility includes the number of solicitor posts that are assigned to each law centre and the filling of any vacancies that arise.
The Legal Aid Board operates 30 law centres. I am advised by the board that at 1 November 2000, there were seven vacancies, including two part-time vacancies, in its law centres. These vacancies occurred in the law centres at Blanchardstown, a part-time post, Clondalkin, Finglas two vacancies, Gardiner Street, Mount Street and Waterford, a part-time post.
I understand that during the period since October 1999, eight solicitors have resigned from law centres in the Dublin area while one solicitor was promoted to a law centre outside the Dublin region.
I am informed by the board that an open competition for the recruitment of solicitors is currently under way and it is expected that all vacancies will be filled from this competition. The recently revised salary scales for Legal Aid Board solicitors, which are more competitive, will assist the board in expediting the filling of these vacancies.
