Category: Social Welfare

Free Legal Advice Clinics Limerick – dates and locations

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Our new free legal advice clinic schedule for 2026 provides more frequent and convenient access to free legal advice for people living in Limerick.

New weekly phone clinic

We are pleased to introduce a new weekly phone clinic,making it easier to access legal advice when you need it. Appointments are 20 minutes long and take place over the phone with a qualified lawyer.

We provide independent confidential advice on a wide range of matters, including homelessness, housing, education, employment, debt and social welfare.

Appointments must be booked in advance – call 061 536 100 or fill in our online booking form.

Bi-monthly face-to-face clinic

In-person appointments are available bi-monthly in the following areas: Ballinacurra Weston, Moyross, Southill and St Mary’s Park.

These clinics are by appointment only. Appointments can be booked by calling 061 536 100 or through our online booking form.

Upcoming dates and locations (please note, this is not a walk-in service, all consultations are on an appointment only basis):

July

Moyross Community Enterprise CentreTuesday 14th July 202610:30am-12:00pm
Phone ClinicThursday 16th July 2026
10:30am-12:00pm
Novas Limerick, Mungret Street, LimerickTuesday 21st July 2026
10:30am-12:00pm
Southill Community HubWednesday 22nd July 202610:30am-12:00pm

August

Our Lady of Lourdes Community Centre, Ballinacurra WestonTuesday 11th August 202610:30am-12:00pm
Novas Limerick,
Mungret Street, Limerick		Tuesday 18th August 202610:30am-12:00pm
Phone ClinicThursday 20th August 202610:30am-12:00pm
St. Mary’s Alms HouseTuesday 25th August 2026
10:30am-12:00pm

September

Phone Clinic Thursday 3rd September 202610:30am-12:00pm
Moyross Community Enterprise CentreThursday 8th September 202610:30am-12:00pm
Southill Community HubWednesday 16th September 202610:30am-12:00pm
Novas Limerick,
Mungret Street, Limerick		Tuesday 22nd September 202610:30am-12:00pm

This service is free and available to people living in the regeneration areas & to residents of other underserved areas within Limerick City.

Please be aware that dates and times can be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Phone: 061 536 100

Email: info@communitylawandmediation.ie

Community Law and Mediation and The Bar of Ireland Launch Podcast Series on the Evolution and Future of Community Law

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The Bar of Ireland’s Voluntary Assistance Scheme (VAS), in collaboration with Community Law & Mediation (CLM), is pleased to announce a new three‑part podcast series exploring the past, present and future of community law in Ireland.

Jointly hosted by Aoife Kelly Desmond, CEO of CLM, and Gemma McLoughlin Burke BL, Co-ordinator of the VAS, the series highlights the longstanding collaboration between barristers and community law organisations.

Episode 1 — The Origins of Community Law in Ireland

The opening episode traces the beginnings of the community law movement, from the early civil legal aid campaigns to the establishment of Ireland’s first community law centre. The conversation reflects on the significant contribution of practitioners who, from the outset, played a key role in advancing legal rights through advocacy, research, and voluntary support.

Guest contributors include:

  • Eilis Barry, CEO of FLAC
  • Professor Gerry Whyte, Trinity College Dublin

Check out the full recording of the podcast in full below:

Episode 2 — Justice from the Ground Up: The Practice of Community Law

This episode examines the frontline reality of community law today, from casework and mediation to public interest litigation and strategic campaigns. It also highlights how barristers continue to contribute essential expertise, supporting both individual clients and broader law reform efforts through the Voluntary Assistance Scheme.

Guest contributors:

  • Jane O’Sullivan, Managing Solicitor, CLM
  • Alan Brady SC, The Bar of Ireland

Check out the full recording of the podcast in full below:

Episode 3 — The Future of Community Law

The concluding episode considers the evolving legal needs of communities, including areas such as children’s law, housing, and environmental justice. It also looks at shaping the next phase of community law, particularly within a reformed civil legal aid system.

Guest contributors:

  • Claire McSweeney, Manager, Ballymun Community Law Centre
  • Éamonn Conlon SC, Chair of Community Law & Mediation

Social welfare appeals training – May 2026

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This online training course, delivered over the course of 1 half-day, will dive into the law relating to social welfare and social welfare appeals.

Topics included in the course include:

  • Introduction to the social welfare legal landscape
  • Overview of the social welfare decision making process
  • Overview of the social welfare review and appeals process, including in the Social Welfare Appeals Office
  • A practical toolkit for pursuing reviews and appeals


The main outcomes will be:

  • A broader understanding of the Irish social welfare law, as well as the mechanisms and procedures of the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
  • Empowerment of individuals to advocate on their own behalf in respect of their social welfare entitlements and their right to appeal.
  • Up-skill other advocacy services and organisations in social welfare law and social welfare appeals mechanism.

Location
This course is a half day course on Zoom from 10am-1pm.

Cost

€95

Dates

7th May 2026 10am-1pm

Booking details

To book in, fill out the registration details below and follow-up with payment via Stripe.

We will be in touch with confirmation of booking and with the relevant Zoom invitation link.

For further enquiries, please contact caseworker@communitylawandmediation.ie.

Your Details

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Community Law & Mediation’s Annual Report 2024

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2024 was a year of progress for Community Law & Mediation, as we continued our mission to provide free, accessible legal, mediation and education services to individuals and communities facing exclusion and inequality.

Our Annual Report 2024 highlights the launch of our new five-year Strategic Plan, the growth of our work in environmental and children’s law, and our ongoing advocacy for systemic change in housing, social welfare, employment and access to justice across the board.

Each figure and initiative within this report reflects the lived experiences of those we support and our collective effort to advance equality and access to justice.

Guided by our mission to empower communities, tackle underlying injustice and exclusion, and advance rights-based changes in public policy and law – This report reflects both the scale and scope of our work to ensure access to justice for all.

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