I have set out in a tabular statement, which I propose to circulate in the Official Report, the waiting times as at 31 January last at 28 of the board's 30 full-time law centres. Because the two remaining law centres, at Tullamore and Newbridge, only opened at the end of January, figures are not yet available for them.
A number of factors should assist in improving the waiting lists in the future. The impact of the two centres opened last month as well as the two opened at the end of last year has yet to be fully felt, particularly in adjacent law centres. In addition, new heads of staff have recently come on stream in accordance with the development plan for the service. The board is also seeking to extend the private practitioners scheme outside the Dublin area, to which it is currently confined. Extension of the scheme would have a significant impact on waiting lists.
Waiting times are continually reviewed by the board. Where waiting times, for whatever reasons, become excessive the position is examined by the board with a view to taking remedial action where possible. The board operates a system for giving priority attention to domestic violence cases and to certain classes of cases involving children.