Written answers

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Legal Aid Service

9:00 pm

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 76: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the free legal aid board are availing of the national internship scheme; if so are experienced solicitors rather than newly qualified persons being recruited; the role they will play; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24616/11]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1The Legal Aid Board is a statutory, independent body in accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995. The matters raised by the Deputy are a matter for the Board. However, in order to be helpful to the Deputy I have had enquiries made with the Board.

The new FÁS "Jobbridge" scheme is an important element of the Government's jobs initiative that is designed to facilitate the provision of work experience and training opportunities for the unemployed. I can confirm that the Legal Aid Board is actively participating in the scheme and this is a development that I very much welcome. The Board will be offering internships to qualified solicitors so that they can gain practical experience in the areas of civil law in which the organisation provides services. I have every confidence that solicitors obtaining internships with the Board will receive very valuable work experience and training that will help them on the road towards paid employment, notwithstanding the difficult labour market conditions for legal practitioners that currently prevail. I also anticipate that the interns will make an important contribution to the work of the Board during their time with the organisation.

The locations in which the Board initially offered internships had regard to both the current work demands of the organisation and the capacity of the law centres involved to provide the necessary support and development to Interns during their placements. The locations initially advertised under the scheme were, Newbridge, Ennis, Cavan, Cork (2 placements), Nenagh plus 6 internships in various locations in Dublin.

Since advertising with FÁS the Board has received 28 applications from eligible candidates and all of these candidates have since been offered interviews. The Board has already placed an Intern in Tallaght Law Centre and is currently in the process of offering further placements in the locations above. To date 6 additional applicants have been offered and have accepted Internships and will be commencing in the coming weeks. The Board also intends to offer some additional placements in the next few days and has recently asked FÁS to extend the scheme to all of its law centres. This will ensure that the Board has the maximum flexibility in offering further Internships.

I have been advised by the Board that the applicants, to date, have a mix of experience and not all are newly qualified solicitors. However, most of the applicants have limited experience of family law which is the Board's main area of work. For this reason, the Board is currently putting in place arrangements to ensure that interns are supported and trained in family law and other civil law areas. I have every confidence in the Board's capacity to manage this process well and to ensure that each intern gets a meaningful role within the organisation which is both challenging and stimulating. I am also convinced that the valuable experience gained by the interns will stand to them in their future careers as legal practitioners and will, in the short-term, improve their employability in what is currently a very difficult labour market.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.