Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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74. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her response to the issues raised in the 2021 annual report of the Free Legal Advice Centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35618/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have noted the publication last week of the Free Legal Aid Centre's annual report for 2021. FLAC plays a key role in the provision of legal information, advice and advocacy work and regularly engages with my Department on access to justice matters.

My Department also provides substantial annual funding to FLAC to ensure that it can continue its important work helping people with legal problems. In Budget 2021 I trebled the funding for FLAC's telephone information referral line and I maintained that level of funding for this year. Their Annual Report notes that last year the highest number of calls were made to the referral line since 2015, with over 13,000 calls.

The Annual Report also highlights an unmet legal need particularly in the areas of family and employment law. As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced a review of the civil legal aid scheme, which FLAC has called a very significant moment in the history of access to justice.

FLAC is an important member of the Review Group and its insights from working to promote equal access to justice for all will be invaluable to the Group as its work progresses.

The review will allow for an assessment of how well access to justice is facilitated by our Civil Legal Aid Scheme, particularly for those on low incomes. The Review Group will make recommendations for its future, including in relation to eligibility.

The Review Group is chaired by the former Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, and follows on from the work he has previously led under the Chief Justice's Access to Justice Working Group. The Review Group has commenced its work, which is expected to take a period of 12 months. It will report periodically on the progress of its work, before submitting its final report to me once its work is completed.

The Review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme is part of a broader civil justice reform programme that I am spearheading across my Justice Plan 2022.

FLAC’s Annual Report highlighted that in 2021 almost a third of all queries to its Telephone Information and Referral Line related to family law matters. I am determined to overhaul the operation of the Family Justice System, to ensure we have a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts the family at the centre of its work. Work on drafting the Family Court Bill is progressing with a view to publishing the Bill as soon as possible in 2022.