Located in the Lidl North Quarter of Ballymun, the new centre — the Board’s 34th national centre — will provide access to civil legal aid and advice to the people of Ballymun and nearby areas.

As a State body, the services at this new centre include supported decision-making under the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and the Minceir/Traveller legal support service.

The family mediation service at the Legal Aid Board, a free family mediation service for all families who are divorcing, separating or living apart, is co-located at this centre and will provide services including child-inclusive and child-centred mediation.

The Board estimates that the new centre will help 2,800 people in its first year.

Joan Crawford, Board CEO, said: “Today is an important day for the Legal Aid Board and for the Ballymun community. Our new law and family meditation centre in Ballymun embodies our mission to empower communities through accessible civil legal aid and family mediation services.

“We tirelessly work to break down barriers, ensuring that people, regardless of socio-economic background, have access to the civil legal aid and family mediation services that they need.

“Through our community-driven engagement in Ballymun, we empower people to navigate legal challenges and family changes, contributing to the resilience of communities.”

Justice minister Helen McEntee, officially opening the centre, added: “The Legal Aid Board plays a vital role in ensuring access to justice as a basic human right in Ireland and helps to ensure that modest means or income is not a barrier to people engaging with the legal system.

“The Legal Aid Board is an invaluable organisation that has worked to improve the lives of thousands of people in difficult circumstances.

“This new centre in Ballymun is the Legal Aid Board’s 34th centre in Ireland, and will no doubt support many people living in the surrounding areas with access to civil legal aid, advice and family mediation services.”