An introduction to the work of FLAC Free

An introduction to the work of FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) for AIRE Centre Tri-City Project Saoirse Brady Policy and Campaigns Officer FLAC 19 January 2012

What is FLAC? l A independent human rights organisation l Dedicated to the realisation of equal access to justice for all using the law as a way to achieve change l Established in 1969 by law students to campaign for the introduction of a comprehensive civil legal aid scheme l Campaigns on a range of legal issues but also offers some basic, free legal services to the public. 19 January 2012 FLAC 2

Ways in which FLAC works l l l Lo-call information line in Dublin office • Receives more than 10, 000 queries from general public or other bodies including CICs, NGOs, advocates Advice Centres • First stop legal advice given by approx. 600 qualified lawyers who volunteer in 92 centres in 81 locations nationwide. Provides legal information • • Web resources Information sheets or ‘FLACsheets’ 19 January 2012 FLAC 3

FLAC’s Priority Areas of Work l l Civil legal aid • Access to the State-run scheme Debt and Credit Law Reform • • • Mortgage arrears Personal Insolvency Consumer Protection Public Interest Law • • Recognition of Transgendered persons Deaf jurors Social Welfare Law Reform 19 January 2012 FLAC 4

Social Welfare Law Reform (1) l Reports • • l Analysis of Direct Provision system for asylum seekers published in 2010 Currently working on report on the social welfare appeals process Policy submissions • • • Social Welfare legislation Pre-Budget submissions Briefings for domestic and international human rights mechanisms 19 January 2012 FLAC 5

Social Welfare Law Reform (2) l l l Information guides • • • Habitual Residence Condition Social welfare appeals Process Immigrants’ entitlements to social security Strategic casework • • Application of Habitual Residence Condition to asylum seekers Spouse of EU worker suffering domestic violence Second tier advice • • Citizens Information Centres NGOs working on social security issues 19 January 2012 FLAC 6

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Other Social Welfare Queries l l There were 282 social welfare queries and 220 immigration queries to information line in 2011 There were 131 queries in 2011 which required second-tier advice given to: • • 29 individuals including former clients 19 different NGOs in 63 instances 8 Citizens Information Centres in 27 instances 12 other organisations such as UNHCR, the Office of the Ombudsman, solicitors and consultants. 19 January 2012 FLAC 8

Special Non-Contributory Benefits in Irish Context l Jobseekers Allowance l State pension (non-contributory) l Widow's and Widower's (non-contributory) pensions l Disability Allowance l Mobility Allowance l Blind Pension 19 January 2012 FLAC 9

Habitual Residence Condition l l l Applied to all special non-contributory benefits Introduced in May 2004 in light of EU enlargement Case C-90/97 Swaddling v. Adjudication Officer • • • (a) length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country; (b) length and purpose of any absence from the State; (c) nature and pattern of the person’s employment; (d) person’s main centre of interest; and (e) future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances 19 January 2012 FLAC 10

Right to Reside Test l l Introduced in December 2009 Persons listed in legislation as having a right to reside include: • • • Irish citizens British nationals EU workers or EU nationals who meet certain criteria Convention or Programme refugees, their families and dependents Persons granted leave to remain or subsidiary protection 19 January 2012 FLAC 11

Current Issues Arising for EU Migrants living in Ireland l Failure to accept applications for payments l Misapplication or misunderstanding of the Habitual Residence Condition l Particular issues regarding access of Romanian and Bulgarian migrants due to work permit restrictions l Misunderstanding by officials of applicable EU legislation and case-law 19 January 2012 FLAC 12

Solovastru Case l Judicial review regarding right to reside and access to Jobseekers Allowance • Romanian national • Self-employed • Decided on right to reside test which was • applied retrospectively in this case Judge held that he was not available for work to qualify for JA 19 January 2012 FLAC 13

More Information l See our website www. flac. ie l Sign up for the Public Interest Law Alliance bulletin at www. pila. ie l Email: saoirse. brady@flac. ie 19 January 2012 FLAC 14