September A First for Ireland: Free Tax Support for Vulnerable Groups Launched in Galway

Lone parents and survivors of domestic violence in Galway are to receive free, confidential help with their tax affairs under a landmark new initiative launched this week.

 The programme, called ‘Enabling Tax Literacy and Empowerment: Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities’, is the first public tax education partnership of its kind in Ireland. It is being run jointly by Galway Public Libraries and the University of Galway’s award-winning Tax Clinic.

 Designed to help people navigate the State’s increasingly digital tax system, the service offers one-to-one consultations with trained tax advisers and supervised student volunteers. It will be available at selected library branches, with the option of online support. Recruitment is being handled through Family Resource Centres, FLAC, INTREO and the library network itself.

 Eileen Ruane, Director of Services at Galway County Council, said: “This marks a significant step forward in inclusive financial literacy. Embedding tax education in trusted community spaces helps tackle financial abuse and economic exclusion while strengthening libraries’ role as hubs for lifelong learning.”

 County Librarian Elizabeth Keane, said: "This project is about more than taxes, it’s about empowerment. By bringing professional tax guidance into our libraries, we are helping lone parents and survivors of domestic violence reclaim control over their finances, build confidence, and take ownership of their futures."

 The University of Galway Tax Clinic, established in 2020, is Ireland’s first free tax clinic. Initially founded to serve students of the University, the clinic has since expanded through community partnerships to provide assistance to vulnerable members of society. It also serves as a training ground for the next generation of student tax advisors, who gain practical experience under the supervision of professional advisors.

 Commenting on the launch, Professor Emer Mulligan, Director of the University of Galway Tax Clinic, said: “Our clinic was founded on the principle that everyone should have the opportunity to understand and engage with the tax system with confidence. Since 2020, we have grown from supporting students on campus to reaching some of the most vulnerable groups in our community. I very much welcome this new partnership with Galway Public Libraries, which enables us to build on that work, expanding access to tax education in trusted community settings and providing our students with invaluable practical learning experiences.”

The University of Galway Tax Clinic was recently awarded the Excellence in Education Award at the Irish Accountancy Awards 2025 for its innovative approach to tax education and public engagement.

This pilot initiative sets the foundation for regional and national expansion, offering a replicable model for inclusive financial literacy in safe, accessible environments.

 Galway Public Libraries and the University of Galway say the pilot will serve as a blueprint for regional and national roll-out, creating a replicable model of inclusive financial literacy in safe, accessible community settings.

 For more information visit https://www.universityofgalway.ie/taxclinic/ or email taxclinic@universityofgalway.ie, or contact Meliosa McIntyre in Galway County Council at mmcintyre@galwaycoco.ie.

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