The Free Legal Aid Centre have just published very useful Guidelines for people struggling with mortgage arrears, setting out your legal reights and offering advice for people being harassed by lenders. They also provide legal assistance to those in financial difficulty and can be contacted by phone on 1890 350 250 or by email through their website.

The Money Advice & Budgeting Service also offer useful adive website and assistance for those in financial difficulty. The Blanchardstown office is located at 7A Church Avenue, or can be contacted at 8206324 or blanchardstown@mabs.ie. The Swords office is located at 5 Forrest Mews and can be contacted at 8901102/6 or fingal@mabs.ie.

As Brian Cowen's recession begins to bite, and more and more people suffer job losses or reduced income, many are under pressure to pay their bills. In Ireland, we have one of the highest levels of consumer debt in the developed world. This toxic mix of rising debt and falling incomes means many people are struggling under a debt mountain.

The first piece of advice from the Money Advice & Budgeting Service (MABS) is "Don’t ignore it – it won’t go away and the longer you leave it, the worse it gets." MABS have a useful guide to dealing with debt and you can contact their helpline at 1890 283 438 between 9am and 8pm from Monday to Friday.

Dublin 15's local MABS office is located at 7A, Church Avenue in Blanchardstown village and can be contacted at 8206324 or blanchardstown@mabs.ie.

The Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) has published a booklet to help members and directors of Property Owners Management Companies understand the company law aspects and the role and functions of Management Companies.

Where? St. Brigid’s Community Centre, Blanchardstown
When? Thursday 5th March 2009 at 8pm

Deputy Joan Burton will host a public meeting on Thursday 5th March to deal with issues relating to the future of Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown and to facilitate questions by members of the public to the participants.

World-famous cancer specialist, Professor John Crown will address the meeting on the importance of ending our two-tier healthcare system by introducing Universal Health Insurance.

As unemployment rises, wages & house prices fall, the threat of house repossession is on the rise. Although the incidence of repossession is comparatively low in Ireland, it is on the increase. Many people I have talked to recently who have just lost their job, or their partner has just lost their job, are worried about how they are going to afford to pay the mortgage every month.

In order to vote in next year's local and European elections, expected in June 2009, you must be registered to vote. All residents are entitled to vote in the local elections, regardless of nationality while all EU nationals are entitled to vote in the European elections. To check if you are on the electoral register for the Fingal area, click here.

The last date for registration for the 2009 register in the Fingal area is 25th November 2008, although once the election is called, it will be possible to get on what is called the supplementary register.

The HSE have a very useful Q&A format guide to medical card eligibility and entitlements as well as a more detailed guide. There are separate details on the new regime for over 70's from January 1st 2009.

The medical card application form is available here.

The NCA has just launched a new consumers' property information website. It contains all you need to know about buying a home, management companies, house rules and much more. In particular, it's downloadable guide to management companies is packed with information.

This website is a useful and timely addition to the consumer's armoury. Buying a home is not for the faint-hearted, and having accurate info at your fingertips is absolutely essential.

Have you ever thought that car pooling was a great idea but couldn't find people to pool with? Maybe Swiftcommute is what you've been searching for; a new, free car-pooling service which aims to create a 'community of car sharing commuters'. You don't even have to own a car!

If you know of a site, local to Dublin West or national, that ought to be on our list, do please let us know.

National Sites

• The Labour Party

Dublin West Community Sites

• Dublin 15.info
• Fingal County Council

National Media

• RTE
• The Irish Times
• Irish Independent
• TV3

Local Media

• Northside People

Transport

• Meath on Track

Third World Agencies

• Concern
• Trocaire
• Oxfam Ireland
• Jubilee 2000

General Political Resources:

• University College Dublin Department of Politics very good links to wide range of politics resources
• Trinity College Dublin Department of Political Science
• Dublin City University School of Communications