The Refugee Legal Service is a law centre established by the Legal Aid Board to provide confidential and independent legal services to persons applying for asylum in Ireland. Legal aid and advice is also provided, in appropriate cases, on immigration and deportation matters. The Legal Aid Board is an independent statutory body providing legal services in civil  matters. The Refugee Legal Services provides a confidential service to all persons who contact it.

MEANS TEST

To qualify for Legal services, your income (less certain allowances) must be less than €13,000 per annum. You will pay a minimum of €6 for legal advice only. For representation before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal or for representation before the High Court (if applicable), you will pay a minimum of €35 for legal aid. If you have already paid an advice contribution of €6, the balance of the aid contribution due will be €29.

Persons only in receipt of Social Welfare payments will generally be eligible for legal services at the minimum contribution. Persons who are in receipt of direct provision from the State (i.e. accommodation and meals provided directly instead of Social Welfare payments) may apply to have some of their contribution waived, at the discretion of the Legal Aid Board.

HOW CAN THE REFUGEE LEGAL SERVICE HELP YOU?

A person who makes an application for legal services will be furnished with assistance as soon as possible. Assistance will be provided in the following way:

• The Refugee Legal Service assists generally in applications for asylum by providing advice to you before you submit your questionnaire to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or before you attend your interview in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.
• The Refugee Legal Service can make written submissions to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner in support of your application for asylum.
• The Refugee Legal Service can provide representation before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
• Where refugee status is refused, the Refugee Legal Service can assist generally in the submission of applications pursuant to the Immigration Act, 1999 and matters arising therefrom.
• The Refugee Legal Service can assist in relation to deportation orders and Judicial Review procedures. 

WHAT DOES THE REFUGEE LEGAL SERVICE REQUIRE OF YOU?

If you become a client of the Refugee Legal Service you must:

• Keep the Refugee Legal Service advised at all times of your current address.
• Attend at all appointments made for you with your caseworker or solicitor in the Refugee Legal Service. Strict time limits apply at all stages of the asylum process and failure to attend appointments in a timely fashion may result in the Refugee Legal Service being unable to provide a service to you.

COMPLAINTS

The Legal Aid Board is committed to the provision of a quality, professional service in all cases and has formal arrangements in place to handle any complaints from asylum seekers. A copy of the complaints procedure is available in all Refugee Legal Service offices or from the Board's head office or any law centre.

In addition, there is a separate independent committee established to monitor the quality and availability of the legal services being provided by the Board to asylum seekers. The Independent Monitoring Committee for the Refugee Legal Service welcomes any comments or is available to deal with any complaints with regard to the services provided by the Refugee Legal Service. The contact address is: Independent Monitoring Committee, c/o Legal Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. Phone : (01) 6167859.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR REFUGEE LEGAL SERVICES OFFICES

Timberlay House,
79/83 Lower Mount Street,
Dublin 2

Freephone: 1800 229222     Phone:  (01) 6310800    Fax:  (01) 6615011

---------------------------------------------

48/49 North Brunswick Street,
Georges Lane,
Dublin 7

Freephone:  1800 238343     Phone: (01) 6469600     Fax:  (01) 6710200

---------------------------------------------

Jones Engineering Building,
Euro Business Park,
Little Island,
Cork

Freephone: 1800 202420    Phone:  (021) 4510000 Fax: (021) 4510048

---------------------------------------------

Seville House,
New Dock Street,
Galway

Freephone:  1800 502400   Phone : (091) 562480     Fax:  (091) 562599

---------------------------------------------

Montague Court,
Montague Street,
Dublin 2

Freephone:  1800 503060    Phone:  (01) 4776200    Fax:  (01) 4760271