Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and his staff for giving me the opportunity to raise this important matter which relates to the provision of funding for the Northside Community Law Centre, an independent, community-based legal centre which serves to protect the legal, social and economic rights of individuals and groups. It provides services for individuals and groups which reside in the Dublin North-Central and Dublin North-East constituencies, as well as for other residents in north Dublin. It is a registered charity and governed by a voluntary board of directors. More specifically, it seeks to provide free information and advice for those individuals who require legal advice but are not in a position to pay for it. It also seeks to raise awareness in the community of issues that have an effect on it and empower residents through education and other campaigns.

Last year the centre assisted over 3,300 people with information, advice and legal representation. Its services were most readily sought in dealing with family law issues, welfare queries and employment law matters. A significant amount of advice was also proffered on debt and debt resolution issues. The centre has embraced new legal remedies and facilitated mediation on a range of issues such as parental conflicts, workplace difficulties. It also provides conflict coaching. The number of volunteer hours amassed by the centre in 2010 came to an impressive total of 1,500.

The centre was able to provide its invaluable services owing to funding provided by the Department of Social Protection. In fact, 63% of the centre's income came from the Department last year, in addition to some funding provided by the Law Society of Ireland, the Bar Council of Ireland and the Community Education Network. The funding from the Department of Social Protection, which represents 45% of the centre's funding, was continued for this year but there was a 17% reduction in it. The Bar Council of Ireland has not provided funding this year to date and now the centre is faced with the prospect that the Department of Social Protection will not be in a position to provide funding next year. The centre has been advised that the funding stream is not secure and that it needs to secure funding from alternative sources such as the Department of Justice and Equality.

The law centre has carried out a comprehensive investigation of the possibilities of securing funding from other sources, but the Department of Justice and Equality has informed the centre that it is already funding FLAC, which its considers is providing a very similar service and as such it would not be in a position to fund the centre.

I have spoken in depth with the management of the centre and it has highlighted the differences between the service it provides and the service FLAC provides. Unquestionably, FLAC provides a very good service but it is not at the heart of the community on the northside where the Northside Community Law Centre is based. The centre has been operating in the area since 1975 and knows its community and the problems and obstacles the people there face. It does not simply make legal representations for individuals when the need arises but is dedicated to providing ongoing training and support to members of the community on issues that affect them in their daily lives. The centre can be said to be more accessible than FLAC as there are advice clinics held on a weekly basis as opposed to on a monthly or fortnightly basis. A dedicated family law solicitor is on hand every two weeks and appointments outside this timeframe can also be made.

A significant factor is that the law centre provides advice on appointment with the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and it is specifically retained to advise MABS. This gives the centre a significant insight into the debt concerns and problems people are experiencing and it is very knowledgeable about the debt problems that average households in the communities face. The centre is critically aware of the problems in this area and as such is well equipped to inform the community on how to navigate through their difficulties with debt.

Funding for the centre is an important issue and one that needs to be addressed in light of the service it provides to a significant number of people on Dublin's northside. If the centre is unable to secure future funding from the Department, it will not be able to provide the service on which so many people have come to rely. To ensure those most vulnerable are represented and have access to free legal advice and support, we must ensure the funding is made available. On behalf of my constituents in Dublin North-East, I call for funding to be made available to ensure the Northside Community Law Centre can continue its invaluable work. I hope to receive an assurance from the Minister of State that discussions can resume with the Department of Social Protection on this matter.

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