10. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an outline of the findings of the report of the civil legal aid review group, which has indicated that he has received the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36599/25]

Sentiment score: 0.20

The Minister will know there is significant concern in the legal profession and elsewhere on the time it has taken for the civil legal aid review group to complete its work. I understand he has now received the report from that group. Can the Minister give us an outline of the findings of the report which he previously cited in response to me and could he give an indication of when that report will be published?

Sentiment score: 0.14

As the Minister may recall, my interest in this matter comes from several different angles but particularly as a result of work I have done with women, predominantly, who have sought protection or barring orders and have tried to secure legal representation under the civil legal aid entitlements but cannot get legal representation. The Minister told me this would be considered in the context of this review. While increasing access to legal aid is absolutely laudable at the centre of this particular crisis, I am told by both women and legal practitioners that the problem is the legal aid fees paid to solicitors on the District Court panel of family law solicitors. That is what is deterring solicitors from taking on cases. Part of the problem for this particular type of court is that there are many adjournments, and this can make it unsustainable.

Sentiment score: -0.05

What the Minister has described to me sounds like many further delays. For these women in particular, I want to know if this is going to be addressed.

Sentiment score: 0.22

I understand there are processes involved but this is three years in the making and now the Minister is talking about consultation processes. He must put himself in the shoes of those who want to secure a barring order or a civil protection order but currently cannot get legal representation. If they were listening to two politicians talk about process, the Minister can imagine the frustration that would be there. Can the Minister give a timeframe for when this particular issue will be resolved? Further, to put on the record, does the Minister also accept there is an issue here for the number of solicitors willing to take on this work? One way or another, it needs to be addressed. Does the Minister accept there are particular geographical issues where this issue is especially acute? Does he have any short-term measures that he can put in place to resolve what is a crisis for many people?

Sentiment score: 0.03