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Refugee Legal Service - Note for Information of Applicants
What is the Refugee Legal Service?
The Refugee Legal Service (RLS) is an office established by the Legal Aid Board to provide confidential and independent legal services to persons applying for asylum in Ireland. Legal aid and advice are also provided in appropriate cases on immigration and deportation matters.
Independence
The Legal Aid Board is an independent statutory body providing legal services in civil matters.
Confidentiality
The RLS provides a confidential service to all eligible persons who apply to it.
Means Test & contributions
To qualify for legal services, your income (less certain allowances) must be less than €18,000 per annum.
If you are receiving Social Welfare payments only, you will generally be eligible for legal services at the minimum incomecontribution.
If you have capital resources of more than €4,000 (excluding your home) you may have to pay an additional contribution.
If you are receiving direct provision from the State(i.e. accommodation and meals provided directly instead of social welfare payments) you may apply to have some of your contribution waived, at the discretion of the Legal Aid Board.
How Can the RLS Help You?
If you make an application for legal services you will be provided with assistance as soon as possible including:
> Advice before you submit your questionnaire to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC)
> Advice before you attend your interview at ORAC.
> Interpreters for appointments with your solicitor.
> If you have made an application for asylum in another European Union State advice as to written submissions to ORAC in support of your application for asylum being determined in Ireland.
> Representation before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal
> Representation in the District Court if you have been detained under certain provisions of the Refugee Act 1996 [The RLS cannot represent you where you are charged with a criminal offence].
> Assist in the submission of applications for leave to remain
> Assist in the submission of applications for subsidiary protection
> Assist in relation to deportation orders and Judicial Review procedures.
What does the RLS Require of You?
If you become a client of the RLS you must:
> Inform us at all times of your current address.
> Attend at all appointments arranged for you Strict time limits apply at all stages of the asylum process and failure to attend appointments may mean that the RLS is 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 RLS offices or from the Board’s head office or any law centre.
In addition there is a separate independent committee ( the “Independent Monitoring Committee”) established to monitor the quality and availability of the legal services being provided by the Board to asylum seekers.
The Independent Monitoring Committee welcomes comments. It is available to deal with any complaints with regard to the services provided by the RLS.
Contact Details for Refugee Legal Services Offices
Dublin:
Registration Office: Timberlay House, 79/83 Lower. Mount St., Dublin 2.
Freephone: 1800 229222 Phone (01) 6310800 Fax: (01) 6615011 email: dublinrls@legalaidboard.ie
Please note this service operates on Wednesday afternoons only from 2 - 4 PM with effect from January 2012.
48/49 North Brunswick Street, Georges Lane, Dublin 7.
Freephone: 1800 23 83 43 Phone: (01) 6469600 Fax: (01) 6710200 email: dublinrls@legalaidboard.ie
Cork: North Quay House, Popes Quay, Cork.
Freephone: 1800 202420 Phone: (021) 4554634 Fax: (021) 4557622
email:rlscork@legalaidboard.ie
Galway: Seville House, New Dock Street, Galway.
Freephone: 1800 502400 Phone: (091) 562480 Fax: (091) 562599
email:rlsgalway@legalaidboard.ie
Note : Access to freephone numbers is by landline / payphone only
Contact Details for Independent Monitoring Committee
Secretary of the Independent Monitoring Committee, P.O. Box 9169, Dublin 2.
Telephone: (01) 6167859
Email: info@imcrls.ie
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