The number of family law cases dealt with by the Legal Aid Board increased 7 per cent last year, according to the board's annual report published today.
Aid was provided in over 5,700 family law cases - including divorce, separation and nullity. There were also increases in other family law areas such as childcare cases.
Just under 3,000 new clients registered with the board's Refugee Legal Service - a 10 per cent fall on last year. This was due to there being fewer asylum seekers, the board said.
Almost 17,500 people were provided with services in 2006, covering legal advice, legal aid and asylum matters.
Minster for Justice Brian Lenihan today said the board was "an invaluable social inclusion mechanism" giving greater access to justice for the less well off.
"It is particularly noteworthy that waiting times for appointments have fallen at nearly all centres and that the overall number of people waiting for an appointment continues to fall," Mr Lenihan said.
He also welcomed the board's increased use of non-adversarial dispute resolution mechanisms in family law.