Talks to avert the closure of the Northside Community Law Centre in Coolock, Dublin, will take place today. Last week the board of the centre voted to close it because of a lack of resources.
Only two months ago President Mary McAleese attended the official opening of its new premises, at an event which also marked its 30th year of operation.
Earlier this week the centre appealed to the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Séamus Brennan, to save it by making more funds available.
It said its funding from the department was cut in 2002 because it had a surplus but had been frozen at this figure since, despite increased costs. It now has a deficit of €78,000.
A spokesman for Mr Brennan said yesterday he would meet the centre today "to try and thrash something out that will secure their future". He said the centre's future was not in doubt, but what was at issue was who funded it.