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FINANCIAL criteria for civil legal aid needs to be reassessed.
That was the word from Limerick Fianna Fáil TD and qualified barrister Willie O’Dea in the Dáil.
Deputy O’Dea said that “20 years have elapsed since the financial criteria for qualification for civil legal aid were last set”, explaining that “it is estimated that someone who purchased goods or services in 2006 with €100 would have to pay €250 to €300 today, which means that two of every three people this State judged eligible for legal aid because of their financial circumstances would no longer qualify”.
He described the current standing as “an indefensible situation”.
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The Deputy asked the Government if it has plans to bring aid criteria into line with the current cost of living.