Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 1

Written Answers. - Legal Aid Service.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

239 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take in order to help persons who are unable to obtain a defence in a civil legal matter of defamation due to lack of funds. [24374/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I inform the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board is precluded from granting legal aid in respect of defamation as it is a "designated matter" under section 28(9) of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995. I do not have any proposals to revoke this designation.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

240 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the waiting list for free legal aid centres in each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24375/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The information requested by the Deputy concerning the waiting time at each of the board's law centres is set out in tabular form in the following table. The figures have been compiled up to the end of September 2003 and represent the length of time that the person longest on each list has been waiting.

I point out to the Deputy that the board operates a priority system to deal with certain categories of cases, for example, domestic violence, child care, child abduction and cases where there are time limits. These cases are dealt with immediately and the applicants concerned do not have to go on a waiting list. In 2002, the total number of priority appointments offered by law centres was approximately 1,650 or almost 22% of the total number of appointments offered to new clients during the year. In addition, managing solicitors at law centres have authority to give priority to any case on the waiting list at their centre. For instance, if an applicant is gravely ill or in cases where an applicant is in danger of losing assets or of losing title to a legal remedy if legal services are delayed, the managing solicitor can accord such cases priority status. The board constantly monitors the operation of its law centre network with a view to ensuring the maximum throughput of cases at each law centre.

Waiting Times to end September 2003

Law Centre	Maximum Waiting Time in Months in September 2003
Cavan	1.25
Clare	11.00
Cork
– Popes Quay	11.00
– South Mall	6.00
Donegal	6.75
Dublin
– Blanchardstown	2.5
– Brunswick Street	14.75
– Clondalkin	3.25
– Finglas	7.75
– Gardiner Street	5.00
– Ormond Quay	3.25
– Tallaght	5.75
Galway	6.75
Kerry	4.25
Kildare	5.00
Kilkenny	8.00
Laois	10.00
Limerick	2.25
Longford	0.00
Louth	2.00
Mayo	2.00
Meath	8.75
Monaghan	0.00
Offaly	1.5
Sligo	2.00
Tipperary	6.00
Waterford	2.5
Westmeath	1.5
Wexford	2.25
Wicklow	10.75