The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has announced the appointment of a new Legal Aid Board with a term of office to end on 1 November 2021, The outgoing Board’s term of office had expired recently. In keeping with the Government’s policy, the appointments were dealt with through the Public Appointments Service portal www.stateboards.ie.
The Chairperson is Mr Philip O'Leary, solicitor, a partner with FitzGerald Solicitors, Cork. The other members appointed to the Board are:
Anne-Marie Blaney, Solicitor, Legal Aid Board staff representative
Thomas Brennan, Chartered Accountant
Deirdre Burke, Solicitor
David Gilbride, Officer of the Minister for Justice and Equality
Nuala Jackson, Senior Counsel
Gordon Jeyes, former Chief Executive of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency
Maurice Lawlor, Officer of the Minister for Social Protection
Freda McKittrick, Assistant Director, Barnardos,
Ellen O'Malley Dunlop, Former CEO, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre; Adjunct Professor, UL School of Law
Michael O'Connell, Legal Aid Board staff representative
Evelyn O'Connor, Officer of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
Making the announcement, the Tánaiste said: "I am very pleased that people of such calibre are willing to undertake this public service. There are many challenges ahead for this new Legal Aid Board, including delivery of the new scheme to help people who are in mortgage arrears on their home to access independent expert financial and legal advice, and the transfer of responsibility for the statutory Criminal Legal Aid scheme to the Board. I am confident that the new Board members will bring their considerable skills and experience to this important work."
The Tánaiste concluded "I want to thank all the members of the previous Legal Aid Board for their outstanding contribution. I especially want to thank the outgoing Chairperson, Muriel Walls, for her leadership, tireless commitment and dedication to the work of the Board. All of the members have helped to ensure that the Legal Aid Board remains an effective and respected body that is well placed to continue its good work".
Notes for Editors
Fees
Members of the Board are eligible for Category 3 fees as follows:
Chairperson €11,970
Member* €7,695
* Departmental representatives, public servants and Legal Aid Board staff representatives on the Board are not paid any fees.
Background
The Legal Aid Board is a statutory body charged with providing civil legal aid to persons of modest means and also with providing a family mediation service. The primary model used for delivering services is the law centre / family mediation office model using employed solicitors, mediators and support staff. The Board has approximately 50 offices located throughout the country and uses private solicitors on a case by case basis to deliver services.
At the moment the Board administers three of the State's ad hoc criminal legal aid schemes namely the Garda Station Legal Advice Scheme, the Legal Aid – Custody Issues Scheme and the Criminal Assets Bureau Legal Aid Scheme. Legislation is being drafted to transfer responsibility for the administration of these schemes and the statutory Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board.