Robert Troy
Ceist:836. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the person or body which investigates all information submitted by free legal aid applicants. [33456/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (836)
Freagraí scríofa
I have interpreted the question as relating to the persons involved in assessing an application for Civil Legal Aid.
The provision of civil legal aid in the State is delivered by the Legal Aid Board pursuant to the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017.
An application for civil legal aid and advice can be made at any Legal Aid Board law centre through the completion of an application form detailing all aspects of the applicant's financial circumstances and information regarding the subject matter of their application. The law centre is responsible for processing the application and making a decision as to whether an applicant is eligible under both the financial and merits criteria of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995.
Where an applicant is refused legal services they may request a review of that decision within one month. Where the original decision is upheld and the applicant requests a further review (again within one month), the decision will be reviewed by an Appeal Committee. The Appeal Committee is comprised of a Chairperson and at least four other members of the Legal Aid Board. Their decision is final.