Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

It is important that I got the report, read it and published it and that we tried to consider how we could implement it. I regret to say that it cannot happen overnight. The Deputy might think that can happen in government, that a Minister can say, "I am going to do this" and that it happens. It is important to announce what one's policy objective is, however. It is important for me to say that I want to see the recommendations in respect of the financial eligibility set out in the majority report implemented.

It is also important to emphasise that funding for legal aid and legal advice has increased significantly in recent years. In budget 2021, my Department's allocation to the free legal advice centres, FLAC, trebled from €98,000 to €294,000. It is important that I made an announcement this year which was followed up with actual money. The budget allocation for FLAC for 2026 increased significantly from €500,000 to €750,000. The increased funding will allow them to prioritise callers and assist people who are seeking legal aid and legal assistance. Work is, therefore, being done. I am not going to just give a timeline but I have instructed officials in my Department that I want to see the recommendations set out in Frank Clarke's report implemented in respect of financial eligibility.

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