Letter to the Editor, Irish Times, Friday 11th September 2020 – Decision Support Service

This article by Kitty Holland highlighted CLM`s Annual Report 2019 and 45-year anniversary.

The article can be read in full here:

Big rise in employment and housing queries to community legal service, Irish Times, Monday 19th October 2020

 

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

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

Covid-19 Advice & Resources

Receiving sound legal advice lifted a weight off my shoulders. I highly recommend the service, many thanks

Do you need legal advice?

Contact 01 847 7804 or 061 536 100 to book a free phone consultation.

For the duration of the Covid-19 restrictions, we are running Free Legal Advice Clinics by phone. If you are concerned about your employment or housing situation, or if you are having problems accessing your social welfare entitlements, we can help.

We are also collaborating with Chime, the National Charity for Deafness and Hearing Loss, to offer free legal advice for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. To book an appointment, or for more information, please contact 01 847 7804 or email info@communitylawandmediation.ie

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