Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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528. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of his plans to bring forward a general scheme of a criminal legal aid Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24095/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is under review and a General Scheme of a Criminal Legal Aid Bill is being prepared. The key purpose of this will be to transfer the administration of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board and to otherwise update the administration of criminal legal aid.

This Bill, when enacted, will also put on a statutory footing a number of Criminal Legal Aid Schemes such as the Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme, which is currently administered by the Legal Aid Board.

The General Scheme will also provide for amendments of section 26 of the Civil Legal Aid Act of 1995 to incorporate changes to legal advice provisions for complainants to extend the range of sexual offences to which they apply.

My Department has consulted with the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board, An Garda Síochána, the Law Society and the Bar Council and a final draft of the General Scheme is being prepared with a view to its submission for the Government’s approval shortly.