The information requested by the Deputy is set out on the associated tables. Table 1 details the number of solicitors and support staff employed by the Legal Aid Board in each of its law centres as of December 2002. Table 2 shows the length of time the person longest on the waiting list has waited as of December 2002 by law centre. I would mention to the Deputy that the board does not routinely collect information relating to an average waiting time for people seeking its services. However, it does record the length of time the person longest on the waiting list has waited.
I can inform the Deputy that the allocation of increased funding and resources to the Legal Aid Board in recent years, up from €10.656 million in 1997 to €17.075 million in 2003, has enabled the board to provide legal services to a greater number of people and has led to a significant reduction in waiting times.