David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 718: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there is assistance available through his Department or any agency associated with his Department to help cover the cost of DNA tests when such tests are requested by the courts in order to determine paternity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17511/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not have a role in the provision of paternity testing services as described by the Deputy. I can, however, inform the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board, which comes under the aegis of my Department, may cover the cost of DNA tests to determine paternity in certain circumstances and provided that the person seeking this assistance is in receipt of legal aid. i.e. s/he has applied for and been granted a legal aid certificate authorising proceedings in relation to children.

Any such application may be made by either party to the issue of paternity and all such applications are considered in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995 and the Regulations made thereunder. I understand that the Board has its own guidelines in relation to the circumstances in which it will approve the costs of DNA tests and the extent to which it will bear those costs. These guidelines are designed to ensure consistency in decisions in legally aided cases and, in common with all of the Board's guidelines on legal services, reflect the Board's commitment to providing a professional legal aid service to those who rely on the Board for such services.