Question

I frequently switch electricity providers to get the best deals. Who should I contact if there is a power cut?

Answer

No matter which electricity provider you use, you should always contact ESB Networks to report a power cut. The emergency number is 1850 372 999. You should only use this emergency number, not the customer service number.

When you ring this number, you will hear an automated message. If the automated message indicates that ESB Networks are aware of the power problem in your area, you do not need to wait for an operator unless you are reporting a fallen power line or another potentially dangerous situation.

When you get through to an operator, you will need your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN). The MPRN is displayed on your electricity bill, no matter who the provider is. It will help to identify the exact network serving your premises.

You should make a note of your MPRN and the emergency number 1850 372 999 and and keep these details in a specific place so you know where to find them if there is a power cut. It’s useful to have a torch as well.

ESB Networks provide regular updates to radio stations during power cuts, so you can get information using a battery-powered radio or car radio.

The Powercheck application on the ESB Networks website esb.ie/esbnetworks provides real-time information about power outages caused by faults or planned maintenance. #

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, call 0761 07 4000.

Know Your Rights columns cover topical subjects every month in a question-and-answer format. They are published by the Citizens Information Board online and syndicated through Citizens Information Services to local newspapers around Ireland.

Ceist

Aistrím soláthraithe leictreachais go minic leis na margaí is fearr a fháil. Cé ar cheart dom teagmháil a dhéanamh leo má ghearrtar an chumhacht?

Freagra

Is cuma cén soláthraí leictreachais atá agat, ba cheart duit i gcónaí teagmháil a dhéanamh le ESB Networks chun gearradh cumhachta a thabhairt le fios. Is í an uimhir éigeandála 1850 372 999. Ba cheart duit an uimhir éigeandála seo amháin a úsáid, seachas an uimhir do sheirbhísí do chustaiméirí.

Nuair a chuireann tú glao ar an uimhir seo, cloisfidh tú teachtaireacht uathoibrithe. Má thugann an teachtaireacht uathoibrithe le fios go bhfuil ESB Networks ar an eolas faoin bhfadhb i do cheantar, ní gá duit fanacht le hoibreoir mura bhfuil líne chumhachta a thit nó cás eile a d’fhéadfadh bheith baolach á thabhairt le fios agat.

Nuair a éiríonn leat labhairt le hoibreoir, beidh d’Uimhir Thagartha Mhéadarphointe (MPRN) ag teastáil uait. Tá an MPRN á thaispeáint ar do bhille leictreachais, is cuma cé do sholáthraí. Cabhróidh seo chun an líonra cruinn a shainaithint a fhreastalaíonn ar d’áitreabh.

Ba cheart duit nóta a ghlacadh de do MPRN agus is í an uimhir éigeandála 1850 372 999 agus na sonraí seo a choimeád in áit ar leith ionas gurb eol duit cá bhfuil siad amach anseo má ghearrtar an chumhacht. Ina theannta sin, is úsáideach tóirse a bheith agat, chomh maith.

Cuireann ESB Networks nuashonruithe rialta ar fáil ar stáisiúin raidió le linn gearrtha cumhachta, mar sin, féadfaidh tú faisnéis a fháil trí raidió atá á gcumhachtú ag cadhnraí nó raidió gluaisteáin a úsáid.

Cuireann an feidhmchlár ‘Powercheck’ atá fáil ar láithreán gréasáin ESB Networks, esb.ie/esbnetworks, faisnéis fhíor-ama ar fáil faoi bhristeacha cumhachta a mbíonn lochtanna nó cothabháil bheartaithe ina gcúis leo.

Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil líne ag citizensinformation.ie agus ón tSeirbhís Ghutháin um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh: 0761 07 4000.

Question

Can I renew my Irish passport online? I live outside Dublin and can’t easily get to the Passport Office. How long does the process take?

Answer

When renewing your passport, you use the same application form (APS 1) as when you apply for a first passport. It is not currently possible to apply for a passport online or to download the application form. You can get the form at any Garda Station or at any Post Office that displays the “Service Plus” logo.

You should read the detailed notes provided with the application form to make sure you complete your application correctly.

You are encouraged to use An Post’s Passport Express service. In general, this guarantees that you will get your passport within 10 working days, but it may take longer at busy times of the year. Check the Passport Office website passport.ie for current processing time information.

The standard adult passport costs €80 through Passport Express, with a processing charge of €9 – a total charge of €89. Hand in your Passport Express application at any Service Plus Post Office.

Non-urgent applications made in person at a Passport Office cost €95 and will take an average of 15 working days to process. You can use the Passport Appointment Booking Service passportappointments.ie to make an appointment.

You should only apply in person at a Passport Office if you have immediate travel plans or you need to travel because of family emergency. You will need proof of travel (such as airline tickets) and your passport will issue within 3 working days. The extra charge for this urgent service is €55 for an adult – making a total cost of €150.

In cases of genuine emergency, the duty officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can issue an emergency passport which will be valid for a short time. The charge for this emergency service is €110 for an adult.

If you apply by ordinary post, you should allow at least 8 weeks for your passport to be processed.

In general, you can check the status of your application through the Passport Tracking Service on dfa.ie.

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, call 0761 07 4000.

Know Your Rights columns cover topical subjects every month in a question-and-answer format. They are published by the Citizens Information Board online and syndicated through Citizens Information Services to local newspapers around Ireland.

Ceist

An féidir liom mo phas Éireannach a athnuachan ar líne? Tá cónaí orm lasmuigh de Bhaile Átha Cliath agus ní fusa dom Oifig na bPasanna a bhaint amach. Cé chomh fada a ghlacann an próiseas?

Freagra

Nuair a bhíonn do phas á athnuachan agat, úsáideann tú an fhoirm iarratais chéanna (APS1) a úsáideann tú agus do chéad iarratas á dhéanamh agat ar phas. Ní féidir, faoi láthair, iarratas a dhéanamh ar phas ar líne ná chun an fhoirm iarratais a íoslódáil. Féadfaidh tú an fhoirm a fháil ag aon Stáisiún Gardaí nó in aon Oifig an Phoist ina bhfuil an lógó “Seirbhís Bhreise” á thaispeáint.

Ba cheart duit na nótaí sonracha a léamh a chuirtear ar fáil leis an bhfoirm iarratais lena chinntiú go gcomhlánaíonn tú d’iarratas i gceart.

Moltar duit leas a bhaint as seirbhís Mhearphoist Phas An Post. Go ginearálta, tugann seo an ráthaíocht duit go bhfaighidh tú do phas laistigh de 10 lá oibre, ach b’fhéidir go nglacfaidh sé níos faide ag tréimhsí gnóthacha sa bhliain. Caith súil ar láithreán gréasáin Oifig na bPasanna, passport.ie, chun teacht ar fhaisnéis ar thréimhsí reatha próiseála.

Cosnaíonn pas caighdeánach do dhuine fásta €80 trí Mhearphost Pas, agus gearrtar muirear próiseála €9 chomh maith – muirear iomlán €89. Is féidir leat d’iarratas ar Phas Mearphoist a thabhairt isteach chuig aon Oifig an Phoist “Seirbhíse Breise”.

Cosnaíonn iarratais neamhphráinneacha a dhéantar trí bhualadh isteach chuig Oifig na bPasanna €95 agus glacfaidh siad 15 lá oibre, ar an meán, lena bpróiseáil. Féadfaidh tú an tSeirbhís Áirithinte Coinne Pas, passportappointments.ie, a úsáid chun coinne a dhéanamh.

Níor cheart duit iarratas a dhéanamh tú féin ag Oifig na bPasanna ach má tá pleananna láithreacha taistil agat nó más gá duit taisteal mar gheall ar éigeandáil teaghlaigh. Teastóidh cruthúnas taistil uait (ar nós ticéid aerlíne) agus eiseofar do phas laistigh de 3 lá oibre. Is ionann an táille bhreis don tseirbhís seo agus €55 le haghaidh duine fásta – agus, ar an ábhar sin, is ionann an costas iomlán agus €150.

I gcásanna fíor-éigeandála, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach dualgais ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála pas éigeandála a eisiúint a bheidh bailí ar feadh tréimhse ghearr. Is ionann an táille ar an tseirbhís éigeandála seo agus €110 le haghaidh duine fásta.

Má dhéanann tú iarratas sa ghnáthphost, ba cheart duit ar a laghad 8 seachtaine a thabhairt go bpróiseálfar do phas.

Go ginearálta, féadfaidh tú stádas d’iarratais a sheiceáil tríd an tSeirbhís Rianaithe Pasanna ar dfa.ie.

Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil líne ag citizensinformation.ie agus ón tSeirbhís Ghutháin um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh: 0761 07 4000.