Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding waiting lists for appointments at a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; if there is any alternative for persons to seek assistance in different areas or with other bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39222/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that civil legal aid in Ireland is delivered through the Legal Aid Board's 29 law centres and a small number of specialist units. The service is complemented through the use of private solicitors on a case by case basis.

The Deputy might wish to note that in a more general context the last four years has seen a considerable increase in demand to the Board for legal services and this coincides with the downturn in the economy. In 2007, just over 10,164 persons sought legal services from the Board in relation to general civil (non-asylum) matters. This figure increased to 17,175 in 2010. The number of applicants in the first six months of this year was almost the same as the total number of applicants in 2007. Inevitably, this has created huge pressures for the Board and its capacity to deliver legal services within a reasonable period of time.

As of 1 November 2011, there were just under 4,800 persons waiting for a first appointment with a solicitor. This compares to 3,153 on 1 January 2011, 2,335 on 1 January 2010 and 1,681 on 1 January 2009. Again, as 1 November 2011, the waiting time in 20 of the Board's 29 law centres was greater than four months for a non-prioritised matter. In thirteen of those centres the waiting time was six months or longer. The Board's Law Centre in Newbridge has seen an exceptional increase in demand for services. The waiting time at the moment for a full legal service is approximately eight months. While persons may apply to other law centres I understand that virtually all law centres have waiting times at the moment unless the matter is one that requires an immediate service.

The Board is responsible for the provision of legal services to asylum seekers. Until the recent budget it did so from a separate grant and the funding was specifically for the purpose of providing legal services in relation to the asylum and related processes. The Board provides such asylum-related legal services through its Refugee Legal Service. Information in respect of such services can be found on the Board's website, www.legalaidboard.ie. In 2012 the Board will have a single source of funding and it will shortly be examining the possibility of providing legal services in non-asylum immigration matters through its Refugee Legal Service in Dublin.

The Board will, early in 2012, be piloting a somewhat different approach to the provision of legal services. The new approach will be to try and ensure that every applicant gets an appointment with a solicitor within a period of three to four weeks. The appointment will be limited by time and its purpose will be to give the person legal advice. The person will be required to wait a period of time if further legal services are required.