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individual basis. It is not for me to dictate to the Legal Aid Board how it should manage its provision of legal counselling. It will be a matter for the Legal Aid Board. I am not going to specify in legislation how they should … that. There are also significant pressures on the Legal Aid Board with the legitimate applications coming for legal advice and assistance from those seeking international protection. In 2024, some 28,000 applications were made to the Legal Aid Board. Of them, 11,600 or so were in respect

instance to apply to the Legal Aid Board, and that will continue. In 2024, there were 11,689 applications to the board in respect of international protection. That process will continue. To deal with the issue raised by Deputy Ward, the Legal Aid Board finds itself with what … Aid Board. As I said, legal counselling will be provided. It will be based on the definition in Article 16 of the asylum procedures regulation, APR. It will not necessarily have to be legal advice. However, it will not preclude an applicant from applying for legal advice from

answer Deputy Ward while I have it in mind. That will be a matter for the Legal Aid Board. I will not specify in legislation that the board in providing legal counselling must do it individually. That would be an excessive reach in terms of a statute … will be a matter for the Legal Aid Board to determine. Deputy Gannon referred to the hearings yesterday before the justice committee. I did not hear them but I read about them. He quoted a section from the Free Legal Advice Centres. I have to ensure what

legal counselling is not intended to replace an applicant's ability to access legal advice either through private means or through the Legal Aid Board. Legal counselling will be an additional service intended to provide support for an applicant at the very early stage of an application … availability of the service. As I have said, I cannot and will not accept Deputy Carthy's amendment. My Department and the Legal Aid Board are currently analysing how to implement the provision of legal counselling to meet the requirements of the pact. My officials are also examining

barrister" but very clearly states "or a person employed by the Legal Aid Board who is authorised to provide legal advice or representation”. I did that knowing of the pressures of the Legal Aid Board, which the Minister has also acknowledged. I do not know … Members who are present were also there and they might also attest to this. I am really concerned about the future of civil legal aid in this State. I have raised concerns previously in the context of domestic violence victims and their ability to access the courts

believe us when we say there is a crisis in legal aid. The Bar Council of Ireland, the Law Society, FLAC, the Legal Aid Board and Women's Aid were all unanimously in agreement with that. They said the system is ready to collapse and is deteriorating … family law. It is bursting at the seams, even without the added pressure this legislation looks like it will put on the Legal Aid Board. The Minister mentioned giving autonomy to the board and deciding on how it spends its resources. It is like Hobson's choice. Will

following: “ “legal counselling” means oral or written legal advice from a practising solicitor or barrister, or a person employed by the Legal Aid Board who is authorised to provide legal advice or representation;”. I am surprised the amendment was necessary. I know there are other amendments

would mean. It means any "oral or written legal advice from a practising solicitor or barrister, or a person employed by the Legal Aid Board who is authorised to provide legal advice or representation". The reason the definition was sought and why so many raised it is because

does not limit legal counselling to legal advice from a practising solicitor. It also refers to "a person employed by the Legal Aid Board who is authorised to provide legal advice or representation". The Minister might inform the House of other avenues or other places where legal advice

being provided. I note the point that Deputy Carthy's amendment allows counselling to be provided by "a person employed by the Legal Aid Board who is authorised to provide legal advice or representation". I want to be more specific in what I am doing

altogether". It stated that would arise specifically from the implementation of the EU migration pact and its transposition. Yesterday, we heard the Legal Aid Board was on the point of collapse. That is the urgency that is required. Will the Minister confirm, because

this House assurance in respect of the preparatory work and in respect of his own Department, the IPO, IPAT, Tusla, the civil Legal Aid Board and the overall process and accommodation. If he cannot provide assurances that his Department is ready for everything it has enacted, I cannot … Minister the authority to enact this legislation at a time of his choosing, potentially opening up this State to huge costs from legal challenges and infringement proceedings at an EU level

include citizens information and all that sort of stuff? Will he clarify that? The fact this is all being thrown on the Legal Aid Board otherwise will not work. The whole thing will collapse. The Minister can smile all he wants but this will collapse. There … this until now is symbolic of the much more worrying issue of how in the name of God this legislation will ever be legally sound and resourced

table. Shamim Malekmian in the Dublin Inquirer has reported on a freedom of information response from the Department of justice and the Legal Aid Board. This was in the Dublin Inquirer a couple of weeks ago and very clearly showed the potential for chatbots - I can send

Legal Aid Board for each of the past five years; the number of applicants who paid a contribution as required under the Legal Services International Protection and Permission to Remain application document and as outlined in in S.l. No. 346 of 2013 - Civil Legal Aid Regulations 2013, which … whose contribution was waived and under what basis the waiver was granted; the total amount of monies that were received by the Legal Aid Board from this specific regulation and how was that money used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12847/26

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 800 of 4 February 2026, if he will request the Legal Aid Board to provide the number of internal audits conducted since 2020 with respect to its centres at locations (details supplied); if in the interest … transparency the Legal Aid Board will publish these audits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12845/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide for additional funding for the Legal Aid Board in the context of their involvement with legal counselling services under the proposed changes as set out in the International Protection Bill