Legal Aid

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Questions (586)

Colm Burke

Question:

586. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice whether it is planned to conduct a review of the legal aid fees payable to solicitors on the District Court family law solicitors panel with a view to ensuring that more solicitors are able to do family law legal aid work, and to clearing the backlog in family law applications in the District Court in areas such as applications for domestic violence orders, disputes regarding custody, access to children and maintenance applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14065/25]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice

All fees payable in respect of casework completed by private solicitors on behalf of the Legal Aid Board are reviewed periodically and any adjustment requires approval by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR).

I can confirm that the Legal Aid Board has sought an increase in the fees payable to solicitors on the District Court Family Law Solicitors’ Panel and that this is the subject of engagement with DPENDPR.

I can further advise the Deputy that a Review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme is ongoing. The Review Group is chaired by a former Chief Justice, Mr. Frank Clarke SC. The Group is considering many aspects of the Scheme, in line with its terms of reference. I understand that the Group is in the final stages of drafting their report, which I expect to receive shortly.