In answering an earlier question on this topic, I referred to the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 which provided that the present scheme of civil legal aid and advice will be placed on a statutory footing and additional funding provided to facilitate an expansion of the scheme. The programme also undertakes to examine the possibility of extending legal aid to tribunals. It is my intention that these commitments will be honoured.
I am aware that the demand for services under the scheme far exceeds its capacity in terms of meeting the demands which are placed upon it and I am concerned to ensure that, within the constraints imposed by current budgetary circumstances, the scheme will be developed to the greatest possible extent.
The present scheme endeavours to ensure that priority is given to the most pressing cases, for example, child abduction, child care and cases involving domestic violence. However, in some areas, it is not possible to provide a priority service for all applicants who fall within these categories.
One consequence of the priority system is that it leads to long waiting lists for all other applicants. The current waiting times for an initial appointment with solicitors in relation to applications that are not given priority are as follows: Clondalkin (from Aston House), five months; Finglas, seven months; Gardiner Street, 12 months; Ormond Quay, five months; Tallaght, 12 months; Athlone, 12 months; Castlebar, six months; Cork North, nine months; Cork South, eight months; Dundalk, three months; Galway, three months; Letterkenny, nine months; Limerick, eight months; Sligo, six months; Tralee, three months; and Waterford, six months.
I am aware of the report contained in the January/March 1993 edition of FLAC News that expenditure on civil legal aid in Ireland is significantly lower than the corresponding figures of expenditure in certain other European countries. I am also aware of the study by the free legal advice centres on which that report was based. While not wishing to appear to be attempting to justify the status quo or to suggest that the levels of expenditure on civil legal aid in Ireland are in any respect satisfactory, it is relevant to the comparison that the legal aid systems in those countries selected by FLAC for comparison purposes have been in existence in some form or other for much longer than our own. According to the study, the French system has its origins in a scheme which was introduced as far back as 1851, while the Northern Ireland scheme, which is of much more recent origin, commenced in 1965. On the other hand, the first law centres in this State did not open their doors to the public until August, 1980. It was unfortunate that shortly afterwards, in response to a difficult budgetary situation, constraints on public expenditure were introduced which have continued in some form or other up to this day. These constraints, which were of general application, severely hampered the development of the fledgling legal aid scheme. Because of this the service has not expanded as speedily as was originally intended, or as we would wish. I have made the provision of additional funding to facilitate the expansion of the scheme of civil legal aid and advice a priority.
For 1993, the board's allocation is not sufficient to allow for the recruitment of additional solicitors or for the opening of new law centres. However, I have succeeded in having the original allocation for 1993 increased by £100,000. It is my intention that these additional funds will be used in order to reduce the length of the waiting lists at the various law centres by availing of the services of private solicitors. I am conscious that this is only a small beginning but, as I have said on a previous occasion, I will continue to devote my best endeavours to achieve a significant and lasting improvement in the scheme.
The Legal Aid Board has its full complement of 12 members and a chairperson, whose terms of office are due to expire in 1995. It is a cause of regret to me that none of those serving is a woman.