Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2026
40. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will reform the scheme for civil legal aid so that social welfare, employment, discrimination and landlord/tenant law are included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49379/26]
View answer57. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will increase funding for the Legal Aid Board to reduce waiting times, increase the income limit and provide access to justice for people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49378/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 57 together.
In June 2022, a Civil Legal Aid Review Group under the chairmanship of former Chief Justice Frank Clarke, SC, was established to review the current operation of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme. The outputs of the review were published in July 2025 and contained recommendations relating to eligibility for the Scheme, including income threshold and allowances, as well as recommendations aimed at improving access to justice for people.
The Review also made recommendations extending the scheme to legal issues which are currently heard before tribunals. Any changes must be considered with regard to the potential implications that they might have on the operation of the Scheme, as well as forms of legal support available through different forums, such as administrative tribunals and other services.
Officials in the Department are examining the recommendations and are working closely with the Legal Aid Board to ensure any proposed reforms are developed as part of the annual budgetary Estimates process and take account of potential implications on the operation of the Scheme and broader government policy.
The recommendations from the Review will also have to be considered with due regard to the findings from Ireland’s first Legal Needs Survey, recently completed with the support of the European Commission and the OECD. This survey will provide invaluable insights into the extent of legal needs in Ireland. While preliminary results of the survey have been released on gov.ie., further analysis is underway, with the Department working closely with the OECD on final outputs.
The Legal Aid Board provides a very important service to those who need its support in matters of civil dispute and in more general matters of civil law and operational practice. Given its wide remit and national reach my Department will continue to engage closely with the Legal Aid Board to ensure it has the resources necessary to meet its most immediate needs and the additional demands it will face going forward.
Funding to the Board has increased in recent years, from €53 million in 2023, to €59 million in 2024, €64 million in 2025, and to €73 million in 2026. Funding for 2027 is being considered as part of the Estimates process in the usual way.
