Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that adequate resources have been made available by his Department to the Legal Aid Board to ensure the elimination of backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15902/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am satisfied that the Legal Aid Board has the necessary resources to deliver on its mandate and am pleased to be able to advise the Deputy that the board has made significant progress in reducing waiting times at its law centres. Legal services are currently being provided to all eligible persons within a maximum period of four months nationwide and at half of the board's law centres the maximum waiting time at the end of January 2006 was two months or less. This progress has been achieved largely due to the allocation of a substantial increase in the board's funding.

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 going on a waiting list.