Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 1

Written Answers. - Legal Aid Service.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

469 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number of persons waiting to receive legal aid; the likely waiting time at each of the Dublin Legal Aid Board centres; and the way in which this compares with the situation two years ago. [26423/03]

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

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tabular form as follows:

	September 2001	September 2001	September 2003	September 2003
Law Centre	Nos. Waiting	Waiting Time (months)	Nos. Waiting	Waiting Time (months)
Blanchardstown	84	8.00	57	2.5
Brunswick Street	115	6.25	180	14.75
Clondalkin	56	4.75	93	3.25
Finglas	32	2.75	134	7.75
Gardiner Street	33	6.00	113	5
Ormond Quay	68	2.00	121	3.25
Tallaght	89	3.00	141	5.75

I should mention to the Deputy that the waiting times outlined above represent the length of time that the person longest on the waiting list has been waiting for an appointment with a solicitor. I can also inform the Deputy that the board operates a procedure whereby priority is accorded for certain categories of cases, for example domestic violence, child care, child abduction and other cases where there are time limits. These cases are dealt with immediately and such applicants are not placed on a waiting list. Such a system for priorities is necessary to ensure that, for example, persons who are subjected to domestic violence and cases involving the care of children are provided with speedy service. It is important to note that in 2001, priority appointments offered by law centres was approximately 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 example, 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.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

470 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the budgets made available to the Legal Aid Board centres to fund the private practitioner schemes; the number of persons who have been assisted to date in 2003 under this scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that access to this scheme is now being curtailed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26424/03]

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

The grant-in-aid to the Legal Aid Board for this year is €17.539 million. I am informed by the board that €450,000 has been allocated to fund the private practitioners scheme during 2003 and that 934 persons have received legal assistance under the private practitioners scheme up to the end of September 2003.

The Deputy will appreciate that, in accordance with section 5 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 it is the function of the board to provide, within the board's resources, legal aid and advice in civil cases to the greatest possible number of persons who satisfy the requirements of the Act. In this regard it is entirely a matter for the board to decide as to how this service is to be delivered.