Community law and mediation report is launched in Coolock

COMMUNITY Law and Mediation (CLM) has published its 2016 Annual Report showing an increase in the number of housing, debt, employment, and social welfare cases that it dealt with last year. 

CLM, which is based in Coolock, said this proves the need for continued support from Government to allow it and other similar services to carry out their work, and thanked Minister for Social Protection, Regina Doherty, who attended the launch, for her department’s ongoing support.  

In 2016 CLM, formerly known as Northside Community Law Centre, worked with 3,200 people in providing local legal advice and services at its offices in Dublin and Limerick, as well as mediation services in Dublin, Limerick and Wicklow.  

CLM said that it is only through the vital support of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection that it is able to provide these much-needed services to these communities. 

It added that many of the legal advice services at its disposal would simply be beyond the reach of members of the public living in these areas that remain among Ireland’s most economically challenged.  

Minister Doherty said she was delighted to attend the report launch. 

“The work this organisation carries out is unique,” she said. 

“It complements the welfare services that my Department provides, and assists members of the public in ensuring that their rights and protections are maintained. 

“My officials and I work very closely with the CLM team and we look forward to continuing this relationship into the future.”

CLM managing solicitor, Jane O’Sullivan, said: “Behind the over 3,200 cases that we dealt with in 2016 there are individuals who have come up against adversity in various ways, be it losing a job, facing homelessness or challenging a decision of a public body. 

“We are always reminded by our clients’ stories that we can all go through periods of chaos and disadvantage.  

“Supporting the services of CLM and treating people with fairness and decency can ensure that these periods are temporary and surmountable.”

Ms O’Sullivan added: “Many of the people and families we assisted would have suffered devastating consequences without the intervention of CLM, sinking deeper into poverty and marginalisation.”