The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee has updated Government this week on her plans to shortly commence a review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, as committed to in her Justice Plan 2022.
The Civil Legal Aid and Advice Scheme were first introduced by Government in 1979.
The independent Legal Aid Board operates a total of 30 full-time law centres along with 12 part-time centres where they provide Legal Aid services.
Minister McEntee said, “To provide maximum benefit to the people it was established to serve, within the finite resources available to fund legal aid, I believe that a robust, comprehensive review of the Scheme as committed to in Justice Plan 2022 is an important step.”
“The review will allow for an assessment of how well access to justice is facilitated by our Civil Legal Aid Scheme, particularly for those on low incomes. The Review Group will make recommendations for its future, including in relation to eligibility.”
The Review Group will be chaired by retired Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, with membership drawn from those who work with marginalised groups, legal practitioners, academics, Department officials and representatives from the Legal Aid Board, which administers the current Scheme.
The Review Group is expected to commence its work in June 2022 for a period of 12 months. It will make periodic reports to Minister McEntee on the progress of its work, before submitting its final report once its work is completed.
The Minister added, “Capturing the views of those who have unmet legal needs will be an important part of the Group’s consultation and engagement. One of the areas which will be considered in the review is eligibility for civil legal aid.”
“Ultimately the review should map out a future for the Civil Legal Aid Scheme; one which will provide for a flexible service that has, as far as possible, the capacity and resources to respond to the priority legal assistance needs of those of modest means.”
“I will be launching a public consultation in the coming weeks and I encourage as many people as possible to participate and to have their say on this important matter.”
The Review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme is part of a broader civil justice reform programme the Minister is spearheading across her Justice Plan 2022, including the establishment of a dedicated family court structure; the finalisation of the first national strategy on family justice; an independently chaired Judicial Planning Working Group, which is examining the number and type of judges needed over the next five years to ensure access to justice; and the Implementation Plan on Civil Justice Efficiencies and Reform Measures, which the Minister published last week.