The Gazette 1994

GAZETTE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1994

N E W S

FLAC in 1 9 93

brought out a second edition of the very successful "A Guide to Supplementary Welfare Allowance". These guides have proved very popular, especially for those involved in the provision of advice, and we intend to produce further titles next year. The research work was also maintained. We were commissioned by the Combat Poverty Agency to conduct a feasibility study into the appeals service within the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme nationwide. We are currently seeking funding to publish these findings. FLAC has an essential role to play in the provision of legal services for those unable to afford paid services, and, with the current changes in the State scheme, our campaigning work is vital. This work requires the encouragement and help of the legal profession and we thank you for your ongoing support over the years.

Pictured at the FLAC Annual Labour Law Seminar which was held on 30 October 1993, were l-r: Eilish Barry, Barrister; Matt Merrigan, former General Secretary of the ATGWU and Tony Kerr, Barrister and Lecturer in Law at University College Dublin.

concerning the provision of legal aid.

The Free Legal Centre (FLAC) has had another busy year. We have continued the campaign for a comprehensive scheme of civil legal. This year has seen some major changes in the State's Scheme of Civil Legal Aid and Advice and, as a result, our work has been largely focused on highlighting and analysing the consequences of these. Furthermore, our newsletter, FLAC News, has continued to monitor the waiting lists problems around the country. In 1993, as before, the FLAC helpline continued to provide an essential advice and referral service. In this year alone we dealt with over 5,000 calls. Many more queries are handled by the volunteers in our 16 evening clinics in and around Dublin and Cork. Representation in social welfare appeals and Employment Appeals Tribunal cases remain a large part of our work and the latest figures show that we acted in over 50 cases during 1993. High Court actions on behalf of nearly 1,800 married women seeking the recovery of arrears of social welfare due under EU Law remain pending as are other actions

FLAC's work in the area of welfare rights training has increased in the last year, and we organised two twelve- week courses for community groups setting up advice services. We also arranged follow-up and refresher courses for a number of groups. These courses are intended to provide a broad knowledge of family law, and to train for information and advice giving. Also, as part of the National Social Service Board's nationwide training programme, FLAC was invited to run courses on the Social Welfare Appeals system, civil legal aid and family law. FLAC, together with the trade union, Manufacturing Science and Finance, has now established a labour law seminar as an annual event. This year it was on the practice and procedure of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and an examination of the new Unfair Dismissals (Amendment) Act. Our series of guides to welfare payments was expanded with the publication of "A Guide to Unemployment Payments and Employment Schemes". We also

Sabha Greene Co-Ordinator FLAC

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TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND THE ISLE OF MAN Samuel McCleery

Attorney - at - Law and Solicitor of PO Box 127 in Grand Turk.Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies and at P. O. Box 7, Castletown, Isle of Man will be pleased to accept instructions generally from Irish Solicitors in the formation and administration of Exempt Turks and Caicos Island Companies and Non - Resident Isle of Man Companies as well as Trust Administration G.T OffIce:- Tel: 809 946 2818 Fax: 809 946 2819 I.O.M.Office:- Tel: 0624 822210 Telex : 628285 Samdan G Fax: 0624 823799 Employment Limerick City or County. Solicitors with extensive experience in conveyancing seeks change. Would consider partnership with another or would join existing firm to take charge of conveyancing department. Reply to Box No. 121

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