Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the Act states that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.

As the Deputy is aware, civil legal aid and advice is provided primarily through a network of law centres by solicitors employed by the Board. There are 34 full-time centres and dedicated units and three part-time law centres. The Board also operates 20 family mediation centres. Eight of the law centres and family mediation offices are co-located.

Regulation 21(5) of the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021 provides that:

“The contributions payable by an applicant will normally be payable in advance of the granting of legal services. Exceptionally, however, contributions may, at the discretion of the Board, be paid by instalments over a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of acceptance of the offer of legal aid or advice but this method of payment shall apply only if the Board is satisfied that the applicant cannot obtain credit elsewhere, or that it would cause hardship, or would be unreasonable in all the circumstances, to require payment in advance.”

To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Legal Aid Board has provided the information in the below table, which sets out the number of applicants for civil legal aid who, in the past five years, agreed an arrangement with the Board to pay their financial contribution in instalments. I am informed that the Board has not refused any such request received.