Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
529. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applicants who applied for legal aid advice through the Legal Aid Board for each year from 2019 to date in 2024; the number of successful applications; the number of refused applications during this time period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19402/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants. While eligibility for the scheme is assessed on a case by case basis, the high rate of successful applications set out below, as provided to me by the Legal Aid Board, is reflective of the economic circumstances of such applicants.
The figures in the table below relate only to applications for legal services connected with an application for international protection in the State and do not apply to services from the Legal Aid Board in relation to any other matter.
|
Year |
Number of applications* |
Number of successful applications |
Number of unsuccessful applications |
|
2019 |
2,592 |
2,539 |
2 |
|
2020 |
1,197 |
1,174 |
3 |
|
2021 |
1,492 |
1,464 |
1 |
|
2022 |
6,883 |
6,858 |
3 |
|
2023 |
9,959 |
9,918 |
5 |
|
Q1 2024 |
2,758 |
2,750 |
2 |
* This figure includes applications not pursued and applications found to be financially ineligible.
