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Legal Aid Applications Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2019

Wednesday, 17 April 2019

Ceisteanna (129)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

129. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons waiting on mediation through the free legal aid system by county; the length of time they are waiting; the waiting times for same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17941/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Mediation is a process for resolving disputes where those in dispute meet with a third party who helps them to negotiate an agreed resolution. The Family Mediation Service is provided by the Legal Aid Board. 

The waiting times for family mediation services as of 31st March  2019 are set out on an office by office basis, in the table below, the details of which have been provided to me by the Legal Aid Board. These details are maintained by the Legal Aid Board in terms of numbers waiting and the waiting times involved on an office by office basis rather than by county.

I am also informed by the Legal Aid Board that short notice appointments will be provided to those who can take a cancelled appointment at the last minute. Those clients who have a pending court date are accommodated, if possible, with priority appointments.

 The Legal Aid Board has advised me that the number waiting for mediation may include some clients who have already been offered appointments and have not been able to accept them for one reason or another.

Schedule1:

County

Town

Number Waiting at end March

Approx Waiting times (weeks)

Cork

Cork

56

19

Donegal

Letterkenny

17

14

Dublin

Jervis Street

72

12

 

Tallaght

42

14

 

Blanchardstown

55

16

Galway

Galway

26

12

Kerry

Tralee

7

8

Kilkenny

Kilkenny

2

8

Laois

Portlaoise

32

20

Limerick

Limerick

26

10

Louth

Dundalk

50

48

Mayo

Castlebar

13

8

Sligo

Sligo

9

8

Waterford

Waterford

9

8

Westmeath

Athlone

30

10

Wexford

Wexford

34

14

Barr
Roinn