Family breakups growing problem for Flac
And more people are looking for advice on credit and debt problems, reflecting the deepening effects of the recession and the mortgage crisis.
The 2012 annual report of the Free Legal Advice Centre (Flac) also shows spikes in the numbers of people with housing difficulties, problems over wills as well as disputes with neighbours.
The report shows that almost 13,000 people accessed free legal advice at 73 local Flac centres in 2012.
An analysis of the legal issues covered reveal:
* Family law accounted for 34% of callers (4,467), a rise of 7%;
* Employment law took up 15% (1,983), a drop of 2%;
* Credit and debt problems accounted for 10% (1,255), a rise of 8%;
* Housing/landlord and tenant issues comprised 6% of callers (727), a jump of 16%;
* Social welfare issues accounted for 3% (379), an increase of 9%;
* Neighbour disputes took up 2% (291), a hike of 10%;
* Solicitor-client issues accounted for 1% (177), a jump of 11%.
The report said the concerns of almost half of family law callers related to separation and divorce, while 30% were regarding custody of, or access to, children.
Separate figures on phone calls to the Flac information line showed that 12,459 calls were made in 2012, slightly down on 2011 (12,923), which marked a 39% jump on 2010.
Credit and debt was the second most frequent issue and almost half of all debt-related queries related to mortgage arrears.
On this issue, Flac director general Noeline Blackwell said 2012 was a milestone year with the passage of personal insolvency legislation, despite its “many flaws”.
The report noted the rise of the “accidental landlord” — people who have had to rent out their homes to meet rising mortgage payments or invested as pension provision.
It said these people did not have the same resources as professional landlords, nor the funds to get the necessary legal advice.
Ms Blackwell said more people than ever needed access to social welfare supports, but added: “The labyrinthine social welfare appeals system is beset by delays and confusion”, adding that the “people’s fundamental rights were not being respected”.
She said Flac continued to raise this and other issues: “We will continue to campaign for reform of the social welfare appeals system, for recognition of transgender identity, for a stronger consumer voice in legal structures around personal credit and debt, and for proper, timely access to legal information and advice for people who need it.”
In Munster, there was a 12% drop in queries at Cork centres, a 13% fall in Kerry, and a 8% drop in Clare. In Waterford, queries were up 10%, while in Tipperary they rose slightly by 2%.
* Flac.ie or LoCall 1890 350 250
