Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2017
87. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the resources that have been made available to services such as the Legal Aid Board to assist asylum seekers with the lengthy IPO 2 forms; the means by which asylum seekers have been made aware of such steps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9184/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that since the commencement of the International Protection Act, the Legal Aid Board has committed to providing all international protection clients with early legal advice on all aspects of their application (including, for example, Asylum, Subsidiary Protection and Permission to Remain). The provision of the Board’s service is consequently front-loaded to the first instance stage (pre-questionnaire and interview).
The Board uses a mixed model of service provision in international protection cases, i.e. a proportion of cases are referred to solicitors employed by the Board, and a proportion of cases are referred to private practitioners on a fee per case basis.
International protection clients receive a full information consultation before completing their questionnaire, wherein the provisions of the Act are explained, their own obligations as applicants are outlined and the requirements of the questionnaire are explained in full.
All clients are provided with a further consultation pre- interview in which legal advice on the particulars of their claim based on their completed questionnaire is given and submissions are drafted and made to the IPO.
Significant additional funding to provide for 15 full time staff for the Legal Aid Board has been provided by my Department. In addition, the budget assigned by the Board for Private Practitioners in International Protection cases has been increased.
The Legal Aid Board’s contact details have been included in correspondence from the International Protection Office to applicants and information on the service provided by the Board is available on the Board’s website, www.legalaidboard.ie.
