Seán Power
Ceist:393 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he proposes to establish a designated law centre in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5758/02]
Written Answers. - Legal Aid Service.
The Deputy will appreciate that under the terms of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995, the Legal Aid Board has sole responsibility for the provision of legal services, including the location of law centres.
The Deputy will be aware that the Legal Aid Board operates a weekly clinic in Carlow which is managed from the law centre in Kilkenny. I understand that an additional solicitor was appointed to Kilkenny Law Centre in September 2001 to assist in the provision of legal services at the Carlow clinic and that the waiting time for such services is currently two months.
I am informed that while the board has no plans to open a law centre in Carlow at the present time, the matter will continue to be monitored in the context of demand for legal services and available resources.