Judge Mary Larkin of Limerick District court has said that some people appearing before the court could not afford ‘free’ legal aid.
In one case, an adjournment had been made to allow a father in a family law case to seek legal advice. He told the court he could not afford the required €130 contribution. Judge Larkin referred some applicants to the Limerick Community Law Centre to assist people in need of legal advice. Most of the cases highlighted by the Judge concerned family law.
The Legal Aid Board requires a contribution from those availing of their services. To qualify for legal aid, applicants must have a disposable income of less than €18, 000. For people with an annual disposable income of less than €11,500 a contribution of €130 is required and that amount increases on a scale according to applicant’s level of income.
The Judge Larkin’s comments follow an increase to the financial contribution last year. A statutory instrument from the Minister for Justice increased the minimum contribution from €50 to €130 in cases of representation. Eligibility for legal aid was also changed with a reduction in the threshold of disposable capital. The changes were brought in to cut wait times and to provide a better service by providing the Legal Aid Board with extra funds. FLAC criticised these changes when they were introduced last year.
Click here to read an article in the Irish Times about the Limerick judge’s comments.