Shauna Curren, Sabrina Comerford, Maeve Regan, Caitriona O’Hara, and Denise Fitzgerald
Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC), Cork Street, Dublin, was set up in 2009 by the South Central Province to provide a free legal service to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It focuses specifically on areas of social housing and related social welfare law. Legal services generally are very costly and homeless people have very few avenues open to them to access their rights and entitlements. MLRC’s legal assistance differs from other agencies in that it assists the client from the first stage of giving initial advice to whatever legal representation is required and going to court if necessary. It is accessible to those who are on the extreme margins of our society and as far as possible, is shaped to meet individual needs, taking the person as a whole, determining other problems they may be experiencing, and dealing with them accordingly. It seeks to operate with compassion, expertise and care for the dignity of each client.
Services
Mercy Law Resource Centre offers five key services:
1. The free legal advice clinics are staffed by the Centre’s expert and skilled solicitors. They take place in hostels run by Crosscare, DePaul, Focus Ireland, Dublin Simon and the Liberties Citizen’s Information Centre. In 2014 the 6th free legal advice clinic was opened at Saoirse Women’s Refuge Centre in Tallaght. Most of the legal issues affecting homeless people come to MLRC through these clinics.
2. Since our inception in 2009, the Centre has provided advice and/or court and tribunal representation to approximately 3050 individuals, families and NGOs. 2014 saw yet another sharp increase in the demand for our service, a rise of 60 percent, as the housing crisis in Dublin worsened and people found themselves homeless for a variety of reasons.
There is no such thing as a typical case. Each individual is different and their circumstances are different, but the comments here represent the situations of several clients who have been successfully represented by MLRC:
‘Mary’ had left the family home due to domestic violence. The local authority refused to place her on their housing list as she was a homeowner. She was faced with the prospect of emergency hostel accommodation with her seven year old son. MLRC made submissions to the local Authority who eventually issued a Housing Needs Assessment letter which enabled her to apply for rent supplement and get rented accommodation.
A client with three children found herself homeless and living in emergency accommodation. She had been on the housing list for over nine years and had signed a tenancy agreement not knowing the monthly rental rate which she subsequently was not able to afford. She then signed a ‘surrender’ agreement without understanding the implications due to her poor grasp of English. She was removed from the housing list and lost her place in the queue. Mercy Law Resource Centre challenged the unfair procedures of the local Authority and successfully settled her case.
3. The Centre provides relevant advice and training to the management personnel of other organisations working in the field of homelessness in order to assist their clients differentiate legal housing issues from other matters. In 2014 six training workshops in this regard were provided. This training equipped both staff and volunteers to better advocate on their client’s behalf and to also identify appropriate cases for referral either to MLRC or other more appropriate agencies.
In 2013, apart from clinics, queries came from fifty six different organisations and from individuals who are referred to us by word of mouth.
4. Mercy Law Centre is committed to influencing public policy as it affects homeless people. Casework and policy work go hand in hand and the success of each depends on the other. By working with a broad range of agencies and individuals MLRC advocates for change in laws, policies, attitudes, and chooses the test cases to be taken in this regard. Research and published articles are an essential aspect of the work.
5. MLRC is a member of a housing group which considers matters of policy. It also holds regular focus groups with other homeless agencies. In 2014 MLRC became a member of the Economical, Social and Cultural Rights Initiative – an umbrella group for organisations advocating for the strengthening of economic, social and cultural rights, in particular for the right to housing to be provided for under Irish law.
6. The Befriending service ensures there is a compassionate and supportive accompaniment for clients. MLRC currently has thirteen Volunteer Befrienders, each assigned to one client, whom they assist throughout the year by providing them with the emotional and practical help required to deal with their individual legal and other issues. Training is provided to all new Volunteer Befrienders.
I went to Mercy Law and found them extremely helpful, especially their Befriending service. My befriender has absolutely helped over and above the call of duty. Without the whole Mercy Law Resource Centre I wouldn’t have got this far as I was at breaking point. They helped me out of the mire that I didn’t understand and the mine field of legal jargon. I can’t speak highly enough about what the Mercy Law Resource Centre does. (Befriendee)
After seven years of befriending and having overcome the initial nerves and apprehension, the main support I can offer my client is when she has communication and emotional/social problems, mostly related to accommodation and its suitability for her particular needs. She has no family contacts at all. I know she welcomes my efforts to help her in tough times and then visit her in her bedsit, or when times are good for her we go shopping and/or lunch. There is constant flux in her life.
My befriender’s training was truly appropriate and practical for the situations I have experienced. Particularly useful was the discussion and advice in relation to boundaries, and of course the true differences between being friends and befriending. I enjoy my befriending with all its opportunities and challenges. (Befriender)
Staff
Mercy Law Centre employs two full time solicitors – the managing solicitor and a second solicitor. It also employs a part-time legal secretary and part-time administrator. In addition MLRC has the benefit of a part-time volunteer solicitor and part-time volunteer administrator (Sr. Caitriona). Other Sisters engage with the Centre and on the Board, from time to time. A number of pro bono barristers very generously provide vital support.
MLRC has established a Legal Education Programme with the Law Departments of Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and University College of Galway. Law students are provided with placement opportunities in the Centre. Mason, Hayes and Curran (MHC) provide interns throughout the year as part of their rotation within the firm.
Maeve Regan, Minister Jan O’Sullivan, Sr. Helena O’Donoghue
Funding
MLRC is totally dependent on fundraising. It does not receive State monies as the service generally challenges public authorities with regard to their treatment of vulnerable people. As the service is free, the main expenses are salaries and overheads. A significant portion of the costs is covered by a regular contribution from the Sisters of Mercy and the remainder has to be sought through donations from various corporate and individual donors. This is very hard work in the current climate, but necessary in order to bring very basic help to distressed individuals and families. The generosity of those who contribute in terms of financial assistance or with their time and expertise, is greatly appreciated. It makes possible this much needed service.
Governance
Mercy Law Centre is an Independent Law Centre and a Charitable Company. It has a Board of Directors and its accounts are audited annually.
Please visit the website www.mercylaw.ie where you can read more about the work.
Helena O’Donoghue rsm
South Central Province
