A Fianna Fáil councillor has said there should be a limit on the number of times people can apply for free legal aid within a certain period.
Cllr Anne O’Sullivan called for a review of the terms and conditions of free legal aid to ensure a fair and equal system for all.
Cllr O’Sullivan asked that the council request the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, carry out a review of the free legal aid system.
She said she would specifically want Minister O’Callaghan to look at two areas.
The first of these is an increase to the maximum disposable income to qualify for free legal aid; currently, the limit for civil legal aid is a yearly income of under €18,000 with disposable capital assets of €100,000 not including the family home.
Cllr O’Sullivan said this should be increased to reflect a more realistic figure.
The second issue she wanted Minister O’Callaghan to look at was access to free legal aid.
The Fianna Fáil councillor said there should be some restriction on people who repeatedly apply for free legal aid, and perhaps there should be a maximum number of times someone can apply for free legal aid within a certain timeframe.
Her motion was seconded by her party colleague, Cllr Michael Leane, meaning the council will send the request for a review to the Minister’s office.
