In December 2013, PILA held a roundtable for a number of NGOs about the recent social welfare cuts affecting under 25s. These cuts came into force on 1 January 2014. NGOs including Spunout and the National Youth Council of Ireland approached PILA with concerns about the legality of the changes. These NGOs believe that the cuts discriminate against young people, and that the drastic social welfare allowance reduction could affect the young people’s ability to live in dignity.
The roundtable was chaired by Orlagh O’Farrell, equality expert and member designate of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The event was well attended by staff from a number of organisations working with vulnerable young people including: Youth Work Ireland, Focus Ireland, We’re Not Leaving, the National Women’s Council of Ireland and the Irish National Association of the Unemployed as well as a number of staff from various independent law centres.
Spunout Director Ian Power and National Youth Council Ireland Deputy Director James Doorley spoke about the impact that the cuts will have on young people. There was then a discussion about whether this can be challenged at domestic level, or through a submission at an international level. Trinity College’s Dr Mel Cousins spoke about the relationship between human rights and social welfare. There were presentations from PILA Pro Bono Register barristers including Fergal Crehan who looked at international mechanisms, and also Dr Derek Shorthall who looked at potential avenues for litigation. Attendees discussed a range of potential activities including a collective complaint under the European Social Charter, a complaint to the European Commission, and also the potential for bringing legal proceedings before Irish courts on EU free movement grounds.
Young people’s advocacy organisation We’re Not Leaving has since asked PILA to convene a working group for NGOs with a view to submitting a complaint to the European Commission. A meeting will be taking place later in February in order to consider this and look at other potential legal options available.
If you or your organisation would like to be involved in this working group, please contact PILA Project Officer Mairead Healy on 01 872 8048 or by email: Mairead.healy@pila.ie