Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 510: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to provide an entitlement to free full separate legal advice, assistance and representation to complainants in cases of sexual violence. [19338/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board provides legal advice to complainants in a prosecution for a defined range of categories of sexual assault, including rape. At present a means test applies in respect of access to this service but an amendment contained in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006, currently before the Seanad, removes this test. In addition, legal representation in Court is also available to a complainant in certain sexual assault cases where the prior sexual history of the complainant is being raised by the accused person. No means test applies in these cases.