Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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165. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56872/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As committed to in my Justice Plan 2022, I recently announced a comprehensive review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, for the first time in its more than 40-year history. The Scheme provides legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including in family law.

As the Deputy is aware, since its establishment, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a hugely significant and beneficial resource for many people. However, within those 40 years, Irish society has changed, and the demands of the Scheme have grown. In order to provide maximum benefit to those it was established to serve, within the finite resources available to fund legal aid, a robust, comprehensive review of the Scheme is now timely.

The financial eligibility threshold was last revised in 2006, more specifically, for income, it was last revised in 2006 (SI 460 of 2006) and for capital assets in 2013 (SI 346 of 2013).

The current review will allow for an assessment of how flexible and responsive the Scheme is to the needs of those it is intended to serve. A Review Group has been established which will make recommendations for its future, including in relation to eligibility.

The Review Group held its first meeting on 22 June 2022, and its work is now ongoing. On 14th November I welcomed the opening of a consultation to seek the views of key stakeholders on how the Civil Legal Aid Scheme can be reformed. This call for submissions is the first element of the consultation and will remain open until 6th January 2023. It is an important opportunity for stakeholders to express their views and inform the Group’s thinking on the current scheme and its recommendations for the future.

Full details of the submission process can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/a7aa6-stakeholder-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-civil-legal-aid-scheme/

The Review Group is being chaired by a former Chief Justice, with expert membership drawn from those who work with marginalised groups, legal practitioners, academics, Department officials and representatives from the Legal Aid Board, which administers the statutory Scheme.

This work is expected to take 12 months. The Review Group will report periodically to me on progress before submitting its final report once its work is completed.

Ultimately the review should map out a future for the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, one which will provide for a flexible service that has, as far as possible, the capacity and resources to respond to the priority legal assistance needs of those of insufficient means.