2011

I want to make sure that I can vote in the upcoming general election – how do I do this?

Know Your Rights A: Register of Electors February 2011 Question I want to make sure that I can vote in the upcoming general election – how do I do this? Answer Every local authority in Ireland is...

I have four children. The last two are twins and I am confused about what Child Benefit payment I will get for them following the Budget. Are they both treated as the third child or are they treated separately?

Know Your Rights B: Child Benefit for Multiple Births February 2011   Question I have four children. The last two are twins and I am confused about what Child Benefit payment I will get for...

I’d like to apply for the new Tús community work placement scheme. What’s the procedure?

Know Your Rights C: Tús work placement scheme February 2011 Question I’d like to apply for the new Tús community work placement scheme. What’s the procedure? Answer ...

How do I and my same-sex partner register a civil partnership now that the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 has been signed into law?

Know Your Rights D: Registering a Civil Partnership February 2011 Question How do I and my same-sex partner register a civil partnership now that the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and...

I earn the minimum wage. From 1 February the minimum wage has been reduced from €8.65 to €7.65. Does this mean that my wages for February will be reduced by €1 an hour?

Know Your Rights B: Student charges March 2011   Question I am confused about the changes to the Student Services Charge. Why is it more for the first child and less for the second child in a...

I am confused about the changes to the Student Services Charge. Why is it more for the first child and less for the second child in a family?

Know Your Rights B: Student charges March 2011   Question I am confused about the changes to the Student Services Charge. Why is it more for the first child and less for the second child in a...

What are the changes to the National Age Card Scheme?

Know Your Rights C: National Age Card March 2011 Question What are the changes to the National Age Card Scheme? Answer You must now apply online for your card (paper application forms are no...

I have recently lost my job and am really struggling to pay my mortgage. I’m worried that I will lose my tracker rate. What help can I get, if any?

Know Your Rights D: Difficulties with paying the mortgage March 2011 Question I have recently lost my job and am really struggling to pay my mortgage. I’m worried that I will lose my tracker...

I have been working for the same company for over 10 years. Twelve months ago my company temporarily reduced the number of days I work each week from 5 days to 3 days. I have been claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit for 2 days of unemployment since. How long can I continue to claim Jobseeker’s Benefit?

 Know Your Rights A: Short time working and Jobseeker’s Benefit April 2011 Question I have been working for the same company for over 10 years. Twelve months ago my company temporarily...

I am looking at my census form and question 22 asks whether I provide regular unpaid personal help for a friend or family member with a long-term illness or disability. I look after my elderly parents and get Carer’s Allowance from the Department of Social Protection. Does this count as payment?

Know Your Rights B: Census 2011 and carers April 2011 Question I am looking at my census form and question 22 asks whether I provide regular unpaid personal help for a friend or family member with...

I turn 17 in April and I want to learn how to drive a car. What do I need to do?

Know Your Rights C: Changes for learner drivers April 2011 Question I turn 17 in April and I want to learn how to drive a car. What do I need to do? Answer Before you begin to learn to drive on...

I’m just about to move into rented accommodation and I will be paying €1,000 a month. My new landlord lives in Australia. I’ve been told that I have to pay part of the rent to Revenue and that I am liable if I don’t do this. Is this correct and how do I do this?

Know Your Rights D: Paying rent to a non-resident landlord April 2011 Question I’m just about to move into rented accommodation and I will be paying €1,000 a month. My new landlord lives...

What are the changes to One-Parent Family Payment? I head that it will be discontinued when your child turns 14. I have three children who are all under 14 at the moment. How will this affect me?

Know Your Rights E: Changes to One-Parent Family Payment  April 2011 Question What are the changes to One-Parent Family Payment? I head that it will be discontinued when your child turns 14. I...

What are the changes to the rules about apartment management companies?

Know Your Rights A: Management companies May 2011 Question What are the changes to the rules about apartment management companies?   Answer The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 came into...

What’s the difference between a medical card and a GP visit card?

Know Your Rights B: Medical Cards and GP Visit Cards May 2011 Question What’s the difference between a medical card and a GP visit card?   Answer A medical card allows you to receive...

I co-own a house with my sister. We pay the mortgage jointly. However I recently lost my job and am unemployed. I am getting Jobseeker’s Benefit but am struggling to pay my share of the mortgage. Since my sister is working full-time I don’t think I can get Mortgage Interest Supplement. Is there any other help available?

Know Your Rights C: Mortgage Interest Supplement May 2011 Question I co-own a house with my sister. We pay the mortgage jointly. However I recently lost my job and am unemployed. I am getting...

I own a holiday cottage in the West as well as my main home. I am currently selling the property and the sale will close in May 2011. Does the new owner have to pay the Non Principal Private Residence Charge on this property and how do I transfer responsibility for it to them?

Know Your Rights D: Non Principal Private Residence Charge May 2011 Question I own a holiday cottage in the West as well as my main home. I am currently selling the property and the sale will close...

I’m 18 and hope to go to college in the autumn. What do I do about a grant as my parents are both unemployed and can’t afford to help me financially?

Know Your Rights A: Leaving school and going to college June 2011 Question I’m 18 and hope to go to college in the autumn. What do I do about a grant as my parents are both unemployed and can’t...

I recently lost my job and have spare time available so am thinking of volunteering. Will my Jobseeker’s Benefit payment be affected? How could I find something to do that matches my skills?

Know Your Rights B: Volunteering June 2011 Question I recently lost my job and have spare time available so am thinking of volunteering. Will my Jobseeker’s Benefit payment be affected? How could I...

I want to visit my son in Australia this summer and have just realised my passport is out of date. How do I get it renewed and is it free as I am over 65?

Know Your Rights C: Renewing Your Passport June 2011 Question I want to visit my son in Australia this summer and have just realised my passport is out of date.  How do I get it renewed and is...

I live in Leitrim but have just found work in Co. Fermanagh. What do I do about making an income tax return and will I be liable for PRSI?

Know Your Rights D: Cross-border workers and tax June 2011 Question   I live in Leitrim but have just found work in Co. Fermanagh. What do I do about making an income tax return and will I be...

I got the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance last year and am wondering how to apply again this year for the payment?

Know Your Rights A: Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance July 2011 Question I got the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance last year and am wondering how to apply again this...

My daughter and I are planning a holiday in France and Switzerland this summer and I’m wondering what happens if one of us becomes ill. Am I liable to pay for any medical costs incurred if I don’t take out insurance?

Know Your Rights B: The European Health Insurance Card July 2011 Question My daughter and I are planning a holiday in France and Switzerland this summer and I’m wondering what happens if one of us...

I graduated from college last year and am claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance as I have not been able to find a job. I heard that the Government had announced a scheme that would help people get work experience. Is this true?

Know Your Rights C: National Internship Scheme   July 2011 Question I graduated from college last year and am claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance as I have not been able to find a job. I heard...

My brother aged 50 has lived in Northern Ireland all his life but now wants to sell his house and move south, closer to me. He is deaf from birth and receives Incapacity Benefit and the care component of Disability Living Allowance. Will his benefits be affected if he comes to live in this jurisdiction?

Know Your Rights D: Moving from Northern Ireland and bringing your disability payments with you July 2011 Question My brother aged 50 has lived in Northern Ireland all his life but now wants to...

I cannot find my passport but I will need it next month. How do I replace it?

Know Your Rights A: Replacing a lost passport August 2011 Question I cannot find my passport but I will need it next month. How do I replace it? Answer You cannot replace your old passport. You...

I’m hoping to go to college this year. Can I get a maintenance grant?

Know Your Rights B: Student Grant Scheme August 2011   Question I’m hoping to go to college this year. Can I get a maintenance grant? Answer A new single Student Grant Scheme has been...

We have just returned from a package holiday in Spain. Unfortunately our accommodation was poor and not as described in the brochure. How do I make a complaint and get our money back?

Know Your Rights C: Package holiday rights August 2011 Question We have just returned from a package holiday in Spain. Unfortunately our accommodation was poor and not as described in the brochure....

If a couple who were engaged to marry end the engagement, what happens to any wedding gifts they may have received?

Know Your Rights D: Broken engagements and gifts August 2011 Question If a couple who were engaged to marry end the engagement, what happens to any wedding gifts they may have received? Answer...

My husband has just lost his job, so I think that we will qualify for a medical card now. What is the best way to apply?

Know Your Rights A: Applying for a medical card September 2011 Question My husband has just lost his job, so I think that we will qualify for a medical card now. What is the best way to apply?...

I am a pensioner and I get the Household Benefits Package. What will the recent changes to this scheme mean to me?

Know Your Rights B: Changes in the Household Benefits Package September 2011   Question I am a pensioner and I get the Household Benefits Package. What will the recent changes to this scheme...

My husband had a small business, and I worked in it part-time. He has just sold it and retired and is getting a State Pension. Someone said that I might get a State Pension in my own right. Is this true?

Know Your Rights C: Social welfare pensions and spouses of self-employed people September 2011 Question My husband had a small business, and I worked in it part-time. He has just sold it and...

I am thinking of saving money by cycling to work instead of getting the bus. How do I claim the tax relief on a new bike?

Know Your Rights D: Cycle to Work Scheme September 2011 Question I am thinking of saving money by cycling to work instead of getting the bus. How do I claim the tax relief on a new bike? Answer...

I don’t think I am registered to vote. How can I vote in the Presidential election and referendums on 27 October?

Know Your Rights A: Registering to vote October 2011 Question I don’t think I am registered to vote. How can I vote in the Presidential election and referendums on 27 October? Answer In order to...

Last May I entered into a civil partnership. We both work and pay tax as single people. How will we be taxed as civil partners?

Know Your Rights B: Taxation of civil partners October 2011   Question Last May I entered into a civil partnership. We both work and pay tax as single people. How will we be taxed as civil...

I work part-time and my working hours are irregular. If I do not work on a public holiday, how do I get my public holiday entitlement?

Know Your Rights C: Public holiday entitlement October 2011 Question I work part-time and my working hours are irregular. If I do not work on a public holiday, how do I get my public holiday...

I am 19. I left school this summer and I have just become eligible to apply for Jobseeker's Allowance. I am living at home with my parents – will this make any difference to how much I will get?

Know Your Rights D: Benefit and privilege October 2011 Question I am 19. I left school this summer and I have just become eligible to apply for Jobseeker's Allowance. I am living at home with my...