Ms Yvonne O'Sullivan:

As a non-profit organisation providing legal information and advice across the country, we have seen a dramatic increase in the use of our services. Our annual report shows 27,500 people accessed our services last year. Many of these were complex legal queries, not just about family law issues but also about debt and family law and social protection and family law. They are putting undue pressure on people and leading to mental illness and financial hardship.

Our submission looks at the budgetary process and how it could be improved. Accordingly, one of our priorities would be making the process more open and transparent. That would involve key stakeholders and people affected by budget decisions, as well as the human rights institutions already in place.

The impact assessments are central to ensuring budgetary decisions do not disproportionately affect one group over another. This is a key element of human rights budgeting. It is a question of reforming the budgetary process.