The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants.
International protection applicants who meet the financial eligibility criteria can avail of the services of LAB. The outcome of International Protection cases is not a measurable indicator of quality or value for money given the individual nature of each case and the broad range of services provided by LAB which include:
• providing legal assistance and advice in respect of their application.
• advising applicants in relation to the completion of their International Protection Questionnaire (if not already completed) including any grounds that the applicant may wish to set out for the purpose of requesting that the Minister should give them permission to remain in the State.
• assisting the applicant in the preparation for the international protection interview and in preparing any written representations to the Minister.
• in the case of a negative recommendation on their application, providing representation for the applicant in any appeal they may take to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT).
Detailed information on civil legal aid services and advice provided to international protection applicants can be found on the Legal Aid Board website at: www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/services-for-international-protection-applicants/.
The Legal Aid Board has advised that case outcomes are not currently recorded in a manner which allows the data to be extracted along the lines sought by the Deputy.
