Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the FLAC publication (details supplied); his views on whether its tenet that while equal access to justice is a fundamental human right there is no meaningful method of enforcing that right; the steps he proposes to take to provide adequate resources to abolish waiting lists for legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29753/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am aware of the publication in question. The position is that my Department provides for wide access to civil legal advice and assistance via the Legal Aid Board and its nationwide network of law centres. The board's services are available to persons of modest means and at little cost. Funding for the board has been increased by 16% since last year to €21.362 million in 2005 and this additional funding has contributed to a significant improvement in waiting times across the country. I understand the maximum waiting time for services is now four months and that, at a majority of centres, the waiting time is less than two months.

The Deputy may also wish to note that the board provides a priority service to persons seeking legal services for cases involving domestic violence, child care, child abduction and for certain other matters where there are statutory time limits. These cases are dealt with immediately and without their being put on a waiting list.