Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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121. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps his Department is taking to ensure the legal aid system provides equitable access for low-income individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68171/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to qualifying individuals. The civil legal aid scheme has two parts: a legal advice element and a legal representation element. Eligibility for the scheme is determined by reference to a financial assessment and the merits of the case being taken.

The Scheme covers a range of legal issues, including family law, childcare, and other civil matters. In addition, while legal representation is not available for certain matters relating to employment and housing, legal advice can be provided, subject to eligibility criteria being met.

In June 2022, a Civil Legal Aid Review Group under the chairmanship of former Chief Justice Frank Clarke, SC, was established to review the current operation of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme. The outputs of the review were published in July 2025 and contained recommendations relating to the income threshold, allowances and other financial aspects of the Scheme.

Since the overall available income eligibility threshold is influenced by the level of deductible allowances, any changes must be considered in the round and the potential implications that such changes might have on the operation of the Scheme. While the Review highlights the need for comprehensive legal aid reform, it also recognises that the current legal aid system must function effectively in the meantime. A critical aspect of any implementation will therefore be the careful sequencing of reforms. Many of them would need to work in parallel with other ongoing reforms in the civil justice system.

Having a civil legal aid scheme and a Legal Aid Board which is equipped to meet the changing needs of society is critical to ensuring access to justice, particularly for those who have very modest means. I was pleased to announce, as part of Budget 2026 measures for the justice sector, additional funding of €8 million for the Legal Aid Board. This increase of 12.5% in funding will support a programme of modernisation and increased access to justice for clients of the Board. The detailed application of this funding will now be the subject of further engagement between my Department and the Board.

The recommendations will also have to be considered with due regard to the findings from Ireland’s first legal needs survey, recently completed with the support of the European Commission and the OECD. This survey will provide invaluable insights into the extent of legal need in Ireland. While preliminary results of the survey have been released on gov.ie, further analysis will be required before the full results are published.

I have asked my officials to examine the recommendations, particularly in light of these developments. I will revert to Government in due course with proposals to reform the Scheme.