Written answers
Tuesday, 15 January 2019
Department of Justice and Equality
Legal Aid Service Expenditure
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
449. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent of the funding provided either directly or indirectly through agencies controlled by his Department for the provision of advocacy services during 2018; the proposed expenditure figures for 2019; the number of advocacy cases dealt with in 2018 by each of the advocacy organisations so funded; and the number of staff and volunteers in each advocacy organisation in December 2018. [1197/19]
Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Please see the information set out in the table in relation to Transparency International Ireland and the Free Legal Advice Centre Ltd.
Additionally, theLegal Aid Board (LAB), which is a statutory agency of my Department, has had provisions in place for the appointment of advocates to assist persons of limited capacity in child care proceedings since 2007. The LAB provided €53,931.90 for such services in 2018. This funding supported 34 advocacy cases. These advocacy services were provided by 9 sole practitioners and 4 advocacy service organisations, the staffing arrangements for which are not readily available.
| Name of organisation | 2018 funding | Purpose of funding | Casework details | December 2018 staffing | Proposed 2019 expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Legal Advice Centre Ltd. (FLAC) | €138,000 | €98,000 went towards the information, advice and advocacy carried out by FLAC throughout Ireland with €40,000 dedicated to develop a free legal advice and advocacy clinic for the Roma Community. | 51 advocacy case files (in addition to the large volume of requests for advice and information dealt with). | 577 volunteers and 17 staff members | €138,000 |
| Transparency International Ireland | €70,000 | As part of a three year funding commitment the Department contributes towards the Integrity at Work Programme to support employers to develop a workplace culture of openness and integrity where workers are supported to speak up about any kind of wrongdoing. | The expenditure for 2018 was to support the costs of the Speak Up/TLAC Helpline Co-ordinator and direct programme expenses. | A total of 8 staff members and volunteers. | €35,000 |
| Total: €208,000 |
No comments