July 2020

Press Release: Limerick community law centre sees 40% increase in demand for services, July 2020

Posted on July 14, 2020October 13, 2020 by Editor

Access to legal aid vital amid Covid-19 uncertainty

Urgent action is required by the Government to ensure the rights of communities in Limerick and beyond are protected as we emerge from the Covid-19 emergency, according to Community Law & Mediation.

The community law centre and charity, based in Limerick, is reporting a 40 per cent increase in demand for its services, with many cases relating to breaches of employment and housing rights.

It says the State`s Civil Legal Aid Scheme should be expanded so that people
can access legal aid to help vindicate their employment, housing and social welfare rights.

Sinead Kerin, Manager of CLM Limerick, says:

“

The people who access our services come from disadvantaged areas in Limerick city and county and show great resilience in difficult circumstances. The effect of inherited poverty and inequality is a real challenge for many people and the Covid-19 crisis has only served to exacerbate this.

So far this year, we have seen a 40% increase in demand for our free legal advice clinics, advocacy and representation services. Just yesterday, I advocated on behalf of a person whose wages had not been paid by their employer; and another person who had been unfairly dismissed; I then assisted a woman who was struggling with domestic violence.

We must protect our communities and ensure that legal aid is accessible to all, particularly during this time of uncertainty. One very important step which should be taken is to expand the Civil Legal Aid Scheme so that people can access legal aid to vindicate employment, housing and social welfare rights.”

For further details on this press release, please contact: Email: Elizabeth Devine, Communications Manager:
EDevine@communitylawandmediation.ie
Phone: 087 697 5677

Breakingnews.ie article: 160% surge in work-related disputes due to coronavirus, July 2020

Posted on July 13, 2020October 13, 2020 by Editor

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, we have seen a huge increase in demand for legal advice in relation to employment issues in particular.

We are calling for reform and expansion of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme so that people can access legal aid to help vindicate their employment and equality rights.

Click here to read an a report about CLM on breakingnews.ie welcoming the commencement of virtual hearings in the WRC but highlighting the issues for people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation:

160% surge in work-related disputes due to coronavirus

Press Release: First ‘Virtual’ WRC hearings must lead to further changes, July 2020

Posted on July 12, 2020October 13, 2020 by admin

Access to labour protections vital as economy reboots

The planned commencement of virtual hearings by the Workplace Relations Commission this week (beginning Mon 13th July 2020) is to be welcomed at a time when the rights of workers are under threat, according to Community Law & Mediation (CLM).

The community law centre and charity says that while the resumption of hearings is a positive step, there are other obstacles which put the protection of the State’s labour relations mechanisms beyond the reach of many people.

It says the use of technology to overcome Covid-19 restrictions represents a moment which should prove a catalyst for even greater changes.

Rose Wall, CEO of CLM, adds:

“

As hearings get underway, it is important that measures are taken to ensure the use of technology does not add to what can be a difficult, frustrating and daunting experience. Vulnerable people, including those who cannot afford to pay for legal representation, people with intellectual disabilities and people for whom English is not their first language will need help to navigate the process.

At Community Law and Mediation (CLM) it is our hope that this moment will now be seized to undertake other urgent reforms needed to break down barriers which place our labour relations services beyond the reach of many.

Legal costs and complex procedures have been barriers for too long. One very important step which should be taken is to extend legal aid, under the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, to employment law and equality disputes so that everyone has an equal opportunity to vindicate their rights in this area

For further details on this press release, please contact:

Email: Elizabeth Devine, Communications Manager: EDevine@communitylawandmediation.ie

Phone: 087 697 5677

For further information visit our website: www.communitylawandmediation.ie

Notes to Editors

About Community Law & Mediation:

Community Law & Mediation (CLM) supports more than 3,000 people annually through its range of services, which include free legal advice and representation; information and education; and mediation and conflict coaching. It operates two community law centres, CLM Northside (Dublin) and CLM Limerick, and partners with other organisations to provide outreach advice clinics around Ireland.

CLM was established in Coolock in 1975 as the first independent, community-based law centre in Ireland. Its mission is to provide people in our communities with expert legal, mediation, and education services they would not otherwise have access to and in doing so, to address underlying issues of injustice and exclusion

Since the COVID-19 crisis, employment rights issues have represented by far the largest demand for CLM`s free legal advice and advocacy services (160% increase in consultations).