You have the right to legal help. Whether it's your asylum case, a complaint about your accommodation, or a problem at work, there are people who will help you for free.
If you are in the international protection process, you are entitled to free legal aid through the Legal Aid Board and its Refugee Legal Service (RLS).
Free legal representation for international protection applicants. They can help with your asylum application, appeals, and judicial reviews.
General civil legal aid — family law, housing, employment, and more. Free if you cannot afford a private solicitor.
Free Legal Advice Centres. Drop-in clinics across Ireland for basic legal advice. Independent and confidential.
Information, advocacy, and casework support. Not a law firm, but they know the system and can guide you.
The IPO processes your asylum application. They are not your advocate — they are the decision-maker. You must cooperate with them, attend interviews, and respond to requests. If you move, tell them your new address immediately.
If the IPO refuses your application, you can appeal to IPAT. You have 15 working days from the date of the refusal letter to submit your appeal. Do not miss this deadline. Contact the Refugee Legal Service immediately if you receive a refusal.
Your TRC is the plastic card you received when you claimed asylum. It is your ID in Ireland. Keep it safe. You need it to: register with a GP, collect your PPS number, access services, and prove your status. If you lose it, contact IPAS immediately.
If you believe your centre is not meeting standards, treating you unfairly, or asking for unreasonable things (like a doctor's letter for a basic fan), you have a legal right to complain. Here is the proper process:
Legal deadlines in the asylum system are strict. If you receive a refusal letter, you usually have 15 working days to appeal. Do not wait. Contact the Refugee Legal Service or a solicitor immediately.
Be careful of people who claim they can 'fast-track' your asylum claim or guarantee a positive result for money. Only registered solicitors and the Refugee Legal Service can legally represent you. If someone asks for cash to 'fix' your case, they are likely fraudulent. Report suspicious activity to the Gardaí or MRCI.
| Organisation | What They Do | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Irish Refugee Council | Advocacy, information, casework, integration support | 01 764 7584 / irishrefugeecouncil.ie |
| Nasc Ireland | Migrant rights, legal information, anti-racism work | 021 455 4444 / nascireland.org |
| MRCI | Employment rights, anti-exploitation, undocumented workers | 01 889 7570 / mrci.ie |
| Doras | Victim support, trafficking, integration (Midwest) | 083 008 6391 / doras.org |
| Clare Immigrant Support Centre | Local advocacy, translation, accompanied visits (Ennis) | 065 682 2026 / ciscennis@gmail.com |
| IHREC | Human rights and equality oversight — can take strategic cases | 01 858 3001 / ihrec.ie |
If you have Labour Market Access Permission, you have the same employment rights as any other worker in Ireland:
If your employer is exploiting you — not paying you properly, making you work unsafe hours, or threatening you because of your immigration status — contact MRCI (01 889 7570) or the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) (059 917 8990) before confronting your employer. If you are undocumented, seek advice first.
If your employer threatens to report your immigration status because you asserted your employment rights, this may be penalisation and you can report it to MRCI or the WRC. However, if you are undocumented, seek advice before making a complaint to understand your risks.