Governance and Transparency

Governance and Transparency2023-01-31T11:31:28+00:00

 

 

MLRC is committed to best practice in governance and is compliant with the Charities Governance Code. To find out how you can support MLRC, see our support MLRC section.

The cost of running MLRC in 2019/20 amounted to approximately €327,000. MLRC is largely dependent on fundraising, which is our main income source outside some training income and legal costs awards on occasion. In 2019/20, we received €247,000 in grants, donations, court costs, training income, and from other fundraising activities. The remainder of our costs were covered by the Sisters of Mercy.

Main Costs

Our main costs include:

  • Office
    • Telephone
    • Postage
    • Stationary
    • Printing
    • Equipment
    • Maintenance
  • Core salaries and employer costs of administration staff and solicitors
  • Travel
  • Advertising
  • Explanatory booklets
  • Leaflets

Project Costs

Project costs, i.e.:

  • Outreach clinics
  • Befriender programme
  • Internships
  • Volunteer expenses
  • Training
  • Case-work research
  • Policy research
The value of our service far exceeds the cost as a result of a large number of in-kind donations we receive e.g.
  • Reduced rent and utilities
  • Free conference and reception facilities
  • Pro bono legal services by barristers
  • Pro bono expert reports from doctors/engineers etc.
  • Volunteer befrienders
  • Volunteer administrators
  • Volunteer part-time solicitors
We estimate the value of these donations to be approximately €150,000 for which we are very grateful.
The Board of MLRC resolves to adopt the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising and confirms that Mercy Law Resource Centre is committed to comply with the Statement. To view the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising please see here.

Disclosure

Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) is open about whether those seeking donations on their behalf are volunteers, employees of the organisation or are third party agents. Anyone fundraising on behalf of MLRC must ensure that prospective donors are aware of their status, i.e. volunteers, employees or third party agents.

Donor Charter

To view our Donor Charter please see here.  Visit the Fundraising Principles section of the ICTR website.
If you would like to provide MLRC with feedback (wishes, comments and complaints) on any aspect of our work, please contact us at info@mercylaw.ie.

You can download our privacy policy here.

Previously MLRC was on the ‘Adoption Journey’ of the Governance Code, the voluntary code of practice for good governance of community, voluntary and charitable organisations. With the change to the new Charities Governance Code, MLRC is implementing and improving policies, systems and processes to ensure compliance with the new code by 2020. MLRC strives to achieve its charitable objectives with integrity and is managed in an effective, efficient, accountable and transparent way.

Our Strategic Plan for 2019-2024 was adopted by the Board of MLRC in May 2019. See here to view the MLRC Strategic Plan for 2019-2024

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