James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising this very important question on the review of income limits for those seeking legal aid. In its 40 years of operation, the civil legal aid scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law.  However, since the scheme was set up, Irish society has changed and the demands on the service have grown. In order to provide maximum benefit to those it was established to serve within the finite resources available to fund legal aid, a robust and comprehensive review of the scheme is under way.  This review will include consideration of eligibility limits.

A review group has been established by my Department, chaired by the former Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, with expert membership drawn from those who work with marginalised groups, legal practitioners, academics, Department officials and representatives from the Legal Aid Board, which administers the statutory scheme.  The group's report is expected by the end of this year.

A comprehensive process of consultation is under way to ensure that a wide range of views and insights regarding the operation of the scheme and how best to support those of limited means with legal needs will inform the work of the review group. A call for submissions, launched last November, is the first element of the consultation and will remain open until 28 February 2023.  The group has also launched a public survey to capture the views of those who have experience of the civil legal aid scheme or who have applied for it. The public survey is available online and also remains open until 28 February 2023. The third strand of consultation, which is focused on groups that are hard to reach, has recently commenced.

Great credit is due to the Legal Aid Board and to all the staff and legal practitioners involved in providing the legal aid scheme since its inception. The review that is under way will ensure its future development is positioned to meet the needs of our modern Irish society. 

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