The Legal Aid Board has today (29 May) launched its new Law and Family Mediation Centre in Ballymun, Dublin.

Officially opened by the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, the new centre is located in the Lidl North Quarter of Ballymun.

As the Legal Aid Board’s 34th national centre, it will provide access to civil legal aid and advice to the people of Ballymun and nearby areas.

Supported decision-making

As a State body, the services at the new centre include supported decision-making under the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, and the Mincéir/Traveller Legal Support Service.

The board’s Family Mediation Service, a free service for all families who are divorcing, separating, or living apart, is co-located at the new centre.

The body estimates that the centre will help 2,800 people in its first year.

Resilience

Joan Crawford (Legal Aid Board CEO), pictured, said that the day was important for the board and for the Ballymun community.

“Through our community-driven engagement in Ballymun, we empower people to navigate legal challenges and family changes, contributing to the resilience of communities,” she stated.

Minister McEntee said that the board played “a vital role” in ensuring access to justice as a basic human right in Ireland, and helped to ensure that modest means or income was not a barrier to people engaging with the legal system.