Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality
Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister for Justice and Equality
9:00 am
Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail)
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As someone who has participated in the private practitioner scheme, I know that a lot of people do not apply for legal aid because the fee of €130 acts as a barrier. Therefore, people cannot access legal representation and perhaps that is another reason the backlog is clearing. People who are in domestic violence situations, trying to gain access to their children, resolve custody battles or trying to get maintenance paid by a parent cannot access adequate legal representation. I ask the Minister to take another look at the matter.