65 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if a third solicitor will be appointed to the Law Centre, Athlone, County Westmeath, in view of the fact that there has been a 43 per cent increase in demand at the centre in the past 12 months; if he will facilitate a second clinic per month in Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13020/97]

I am informed by the Legal Aid Board that there was an increase of 42 per cent in the level of demand for services at Athlone Law Centre between 1995 and 1996, which resulted in a significant increase in the number of applicants waiting for legal services from the centre. However, the opening of the law centre at Tullamore earlier this year facilitated the transfer of some of those applicants, particularly those from the Offaly area, to the Tullamore law centre, which helped considerably in alleviating the pressure on Athlone.