Submission to NESF on Improving the Delivery of Quality Public Services
Summary
FLAC was originally established to campaign for the introduction of a State-funded system of comprehensive civil legal aid. After 25 years of state civil legal aid, FLAC contends that the scheme failed to achieve its stated goal "to make provision for the grant by the State of legal aid and advice to persons of insufficient means in civil cases" as significant gaps have remained in the provision of that public service. "Civil legal aid and advice is not available to every person of insufficient means, given that many on very modest incomes fail to qualify," concluded FLAC in its latest report Access to Justice: a Right or a Privilege? A Blueprint for Civil Legal Aid in Ireland"1 There is an urgent need for change and reform to achieve an adequate scheme that guarantees access to legal services for all.
FLAC welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the NEFS in its project on Improving the Delivery of Quality Public Services as it believes that an adequate provision of civil legal aid will make a significant contribution in achieving greater equality and social inclusion.