Written answer
Judicial Reviews
2497. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the supports available in cases in which a solicitor has identified arguable grounds for judicial review of IPAT decisions but the applicant lacks the means to pursue the case. [62795/26]
Comment on this
The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants under the International Protection Act 2015 and the International Protection Act 2026.
Applicants for international protection can avail of the following services:
• Legal Counselling: This service is available to applicants for international protection who apply under the International Protection Act 2026. The service involves the provision of general information and guidance to the applicant on the different procedures under which the application for international protection may be examined as well as information and guidance on the applicant’s rights and obligations during the procedure and guidance on completing the international protection application during the screening stage.
• Legal advice: This involves legal advice and assistance in respect of the application to the International Protection Office (IPO) for international protection.
• Legal Representation: In the case of a negative decision on the first instance application, LAB provides legal advice to an applicant on the options available to them, on the prospects of success on appeal, and where the applicant instructs that they wish to appeal, LAB provides legal representation for the applicant in the preparation of the appeal and at the hearing of the appeal before the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) or the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) as the case may be.
• Judicial Review: Where an applicant seeks legal aid to bring judicial review proceedings against a negative decision of the IPAT, the Minister or TARA, legal aid may be granted in respect of such proceedings.