‘ Contribution for legal aid should end’

MAYOR of Sligo Municipal District Cllr Marie Casserly wants the Legal Aid Board to end what she says is the unjust system where victims of domestic violence have to make a financial contribution to avail of the service.

“The Board requires victims to make a fcontribution despite the fact that it is within its power to end the requirement without recourse to legislation. The minimum contribution, even for people on social welfare, is € 30 for legal advice and € 130 for legal aid which is two- thirds of a weekly basic social welfare payment,

“In addition, victims of domestic abuse who are not in receipt of social welfare can be denied access to funds by their abuser, and thereby also denied access to legal advice or aid,” she said.