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 responsible for compiling and publishing a list of voters in its area. This is called the Register of Electors or the Electoral Register. Anyone can inspect this Register and it is available in all local authority offices, post offices, Garda stations and public libraries. You can also check the Electoral Register online at checktheregister.ie.

The published Register contains voters’ names, addresses, polling stations and category of voter*. A new draft Register is compiled each year and is published on 1 November. To be eligible for inclusion in the Register of Electors, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old on the day the Register comes into force (15 February)

• Have been ordinarily resident in the State on 1 September in the year before the Register comes into force

If your name is not on the published Register of Electors, you can still apply to be included in a supplement to the Register using form RFA2. Forms are available online at checktheregister.ie and from local authorities, post offices and public libraries. You can make this application at any time. However, to be included in the supplement used in a forthcoming election, your application must be received by your local authority at least 15 days before polling day (Sundays, public holidays and Good Friday are not counted as days for this purpose). If you are on the register but have moved address from one Dáil constituency, or local electoral area, to another you must complete a Change of Address form (RFA3). This will also remove you from the register for your previous address.

*Your right to vote in Ireland depends on your citizenship:

• Irish citizens can vote in every election and referendum.

• British citizens can vote in Dáil, European and local elections

• Other EU citizens can vote in European and local elections

• Non-EU citizens can vote in local elections only

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, LoCall 1890 777 121.

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

Ba mhaith liom a chinntiú go mbeidh mé in ann vótáil san olltoghcháin atá ag teacht aníos – conas is féidir liom é seo a dhéanamh?

Freagra

Tá sé de dhualgas ar gach aon údarás áitiúil in Éirinn liosta na dtoghthóirí ina cheantar féin a chur le chéile agus a fhoilsiú. Tugtar Clár na dToghthóirí air seo. Is féidir le duine ar bith an clár seo a chur faoi chaibidil agus tá sé ar fáil i ngach oifig de chuid na n-údarás áitiúil, oifigí an phoist, stáisiúin na nGardaí agus leabharlanna poiblí. Is féidir leat Clár na dToghthóirí a sheiceáil ar líne ag checktheregister.ie.

Bíonn ainm, seoladh, stáisiúin vótála agus catagóir an toghthóir* ar an gclár foilsithe. Cuirtear clár dréachta nua le chéile gach bliain agus foilsítear ar 1 Samhain é. Chun go mbeidh tú i dteideal a bheith ar Chlár na dToghthóirí, ní mór duit:

• a bheith 18 mbliana d’aois ar a laghad ar an lá a théann an Clár i bhfeidhm (15 Feabhra)

• a bheith i do ghnáthchónaí sa Stát ar 1 Meán Fómhair sa bhliain sula dtéann an Clár i bhfeidhm.

Mura bhfuil d’ainm ar Chlár na dToghthóirí nuair a theann sé i bhfeidhm i Mí Feabhra, is féidir leat úsáid a bhaint as foirm RFA2 chun iarratas a dhéanamh chun a bheith curtha ar an gClár forlíonach. Tá na foirmeacha le fáil ar líne ag checktheregister.ie agus ó údaráis áitiúla, oifigí an phoist agus leabharlanna poiblí. Is féidir leat an t-iarratas seo a dhéanamh ag aon am ar bith, ach chun a chinntiú go mbeidh tú ar an liosta as a mbainfear úsáid ag toghchán atá ag teacht aníos, caithfidh d’iarratas a bheith faighte ag d’údarás áitiúil 15 lá roimh an lá vótála ar a laghad, gan Domhnach, laethanta saoire poiblí agus Aoine an Chéasta a chur san áireamh. Má tá tú ar an gClár cheana féin ach má tú tar éis bogadh ó dháilcheantar amháin, nó toghlimistéar áitiúil, go dtí ceann eile, caithfidh tú foirm athraithe seolta a chomhlánú (RFA3). Bainfidh sé seo ón gclár thú i leith d’iarsheolta chomh maith.

* Braitheann do cheart chun vóta a chaitheamh in Éirinn ar do shaoránacht:

• Is féidir le saoránaigh na hÉireann vóta a chaitheamh i ngach toghchán agus reifreann.

• Is féidir le saoránaigh Briotanacha vóta a chaitheamh ag toghcháin Dháil Éireann, agus toghcháin Eorpacha agus áitiúla.

• Is féidir le saoránaigh tíortha eile an AE vóta a chaitheamh ag toghcháin Eorpacha agus áitiúla.

• Ní féidir le saoránaigh nach de chuid an AE é/í vóta a chaitheamh ach ag toghcháin áitiúla amháin.

Question

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?

Answer

The Budget reduced Child Benefit payments by €10 for all children and reduced the payment for the third child in a family by another €10.

In 2011 Child Benefit is paid at the monthly rate of €140 for the first and second child, €167 for the third child and €177 for the fourth and subsequent children.

Child Benefit for twins is one and a half times the normal monthly rate for each child. This means that the rate for twins can vary depending on their position in the family.

In your case since you have two children already, the twins are the third and fourth children in the family. Therefore the monthly payment for the twins is €250.50 (€167.00 x 1.5) and €265.50 (€177.00 x 1.5).

If the twins were the only children in the family Child Benefit would be €210 (€140 x1.5) for each child.

Child Benefit for triplets is paid at double the normal monthly rate for each child and the same principle applies.

An extra grant of €635 per child is paid for all multiple births at birth, age 4 and age 12.

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, LoCall 1890 777 121.

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

Tá ceathrar páistí agam. Is cúpla iad an bheirt dheireanach, agus táim trí chéile maidir leis an íocaíocht Sochair Linbh a gheobhaidh mé maidir leis na páistí seo i ndiaidh an Bhuiséid. An ndéileálfaidh leo mar tríú páiste, nó an ndéileálfaidh leo ar bhonn leithleach?

Freagra

Bhí ísliú ar an íocaíocht Sochair Linbh de €10 do gach páiste sa bhuiséad agus íslítear an íocaíocht don tríú pháiste sa chlann €10 eile.

I 2011, íocfar an Sochar Linbh ag an ráta míosúil €140 don chéad agus an dara páiste, €167 don tríú páiste agus €177 don ceathrú páiste agus d’aon pháiste ina dhiaidh sin.

Is é an Sochar Linbh do chúpla 1.5 oiread an ghnáthráta mhíosúil do gach pháiste. Ciallaíonn sé sin go mbraitheann an ráta maidir le cúpla ar áit an pháiste sa chlann.

I do chás: cé go bhfuil beirt pháistí agat cheana, is iad an cúpla an tríú agus an ceathrú páiste sa chlann. Dá bharr, is í an íocaíocht mhíosúil don chúpla €250.50 (€167.00 x 1.5) agus €265.50 (€177.00 x 1.5).

Más rud é nach raibh ach an cúpla sa chlann, bheadh Sochar Linbh €210 (€140 x1.5) do gach páiste.

Íoctar an Sochar Linbh do thríríní ag dhá oiread an ghnáthráta mhíosúil do gach páiste agus bíonn feidhm ag na prionsabail chéanna.

Íoctar deontas breise €635 in aghaidh an pháiste i leith gach ilbhreithe ag am an bhreithe, nuair atá na páistí 4 bliana d’aois agus nuair atá na páistí 12 bhliain d’aois.

Question

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

Answer

There is no application process for the scheme. People who are eligible to take part will be selected and contacted by their social welfare local office. However, there are only 5,000 places available in 2011 (in both urban and rural areas) so not everyone who is eligible will be asked to take part in the scheme. To be eligible you must:

• Have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and “signing on” full time and

• Have been receiving a jobseeker’s payment (Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance) from the Department of Social Protection for at least 12 months and

• Be currently receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The scheme aims to benefit the community and participants will be asked to carry out a range of work in their communities. Participants are paid the equivalent of their social welfare payment and an additional €20 per week. Secondary benefits such as medical card and Rent Supplement are unlikely to change but participants are not automatically entitled to these benefits. Participants work for 19 ½ hours a week and placements last for 52 weeks (one year).

Tús is managed by local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Department of Social Protection has overall responsibility for the scheme. Community and voluntary organisations with a work placement opportunity should register this with their local development company/Údarás na Gaeltachta. They will then be required to submit a detailed work proposal.

Under the National Employment Action Plan people getting Jobseeker’s Allowance are required to take up work opportunities. If you refuse the offer of a Tús work placement without good reason, you may have your social welfare payment reduced or terminated. If, following a refusal of a placement, your payment is reduced or terminated you may appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals office within 21 days.

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, LoCall 1890 777 121.

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

Ba mhaith liom cur isteach ar an scéim socrúchán oibre nua darb ainm ‘Tús’. Cad é an gnáthamh iontrála?

Freagra

Níl aon ghnáthamh iontrála ann don scéim. Déanfaidh an oifig áitiúil leasa shóisialaigh teagmháil leis na daoine a bheidh i dteideal páirt a ghlacadh sa scéim. Níl ach 5,000 áit le fáil i 2011 áfach (i gceantair uirbeacha agus i gceantair tuaithe), mar sin ní bheidh gach duine a bheidh i dteideal in ann páirt a glacadh sa scéim. Chun a beith i dteideal, ní mór duit:

• a bheith dífhostaithe ar feadh 12 mhí go leanúnach ar a laghad agus a bheith ag “síniú” go lánaimseartha agus

• a bheith ag fáil íocaíochtí cuardaitheora Poist (Sochar Cuardaitheora Poist nó Liúntas Cuardaitheora Poist) ón Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí ar feadh 12 mhí ar a laghad agus

• a bheith ag fáil Liúntais Cuardaitheora Poist faoi láthair

Tá sé mar aidhm ag an scéim leas a bhaint as ar mhaithe leis an bpobal agus iarrfar ar na rannpháirtithe réimse oibre a dhéanamh ina gceantair féin. Gheobhaidh a rannpháirtithe coibhéis a íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh agus €20 sa bhreis in aghaidh na seachtaine. Tá gach cosúlacht ar an scéal nach n-athróidh sochair tánaisteacha cosúil leis an gcárta liachta ná an fordheontas cíosa, ach níl na rannpháirtithe i dteideal na sochar seo go huathoibríoch. Oibreoidh na rannpháirtithe ar feadh 19 ½ uair an chloig in aghaidh na seachtaine, agus mairfidh na socrúcháin ar feadh 52 seachtaine (1 bhliain).

Bainistíonn cuideachtaí forbartha áitiúla agus Údarás na Gaeltachta an scéim ‘Tús’. Tá an Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí freagrach as an scéim ar an iomlán. Ba chóir d’eagraíochtaí pobail agus deonacha clárú lena gcuideachtaí forbartha áitiúla nó le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta. Beidh orthu miontogra oibre a chur isteach ansin.

Faoin bPlean Gníomhaíochta Náisiúnta i gcoinne Dífhostaíochta, caithfidh daoine atá ag fáil an Liúntais Chuardaitheora Poist glacadh le deiseanna oibre. Má dhúiltíonn tú aon socrúchán oibre ‘Tús’ gan cúis mhaith, tá seans ann go n-ísleofar nó go gcuirfear deireadh le d‘íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh. Má íslítear nó má chuirtear deireadh le d‘íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh tar éis duit tairiscint socrúcháin a dhiúltú, is féidir leat an cinneadh seo a achomharc in aghaidh an bhreithe sin ag an Oifig Achomharc Leasa Shóisialaigh laistigh de 21 lá.

Question

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?

Answer

The procedure is that you must first make an appointment with a Registrar to give notification of intention to enter into a civil partnership. This notification must be given at least three months before registration. Civil partnership registration must take place in the presence of two witnesses who are both over 18 years of age. You can simply register a new civil partnership. You do not need to have a civil partnership ceremony, unlike marriages which require a marriage ceremony. However civil partners may choose to have a ceremony and, if you do, the requirements are similar to marriage ceremonies.

You must provide the following documents when giving notification:

• A passport as photographic identification (if this is not available, you must discuss this with the Registrar in advance)

• Birth certificate (must bear an apostille stamp if it is from outside Ireland)

• Proof of address

• PPS Number (where applicable)

Other documents are required if either person is divorced, widowed, has had a previous civil partnership dissolved or is a surviving civil partner. The Registrar will advise what is required in each case during the notification appointment. You also need to tell the Registrar the intended date of civil partnership; the names and dates of birth of the two witnesses, and the details of the proposed venue (if not held in a registry office the venue must be open to the public and approved by the Registrar).

If you married or entered into a civil partnership abroad your relationship may be recognised as a civil partnership in Ireland provided certain criteria are met.

You can find more detailed information on civil partnership registration on the General Register Office website: groireland.ie.

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, LoCall 1890 777 121.

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

Conas is féidir liom agus mo pháirtí comhghnéis páirtnéireacht shibhialta a chlárú anois agus an tAcht um Páirtnéireacht Shibhialta agus um Chearta agus Oibleagáidí Áirithe de chuid Comhchónaitheoirí 2010 i bhfeidhm?

Freagra

Caithfidh sibh coinne a dhéanamh le cláraitheoir chun fógra a thabhairt go bhfuil sé ar intinn agaibh páirtnéireacht shibhialta nua a chur ar bun. Caithfear an fógra seo a thabhairt 3 mhí ar a laghad roimh an gclárúchán. Caithfidh clárúchán na páirtnéireachta sibhialta a tharlú os comhair beirt fhinnéithe atá ós cionn 18 mbliana d’aois. Is féidir leat páirtnéireacht shibhialta nua a chlárú amháin, i.e. ní gá searmanas páirtnéireachta sibhialta a bheith agaibh, d’ainneoin go gcaithfear searmanas pósta a bheith ann i gcás pósadh. Is féidir le páirtnéirí sibhialta an rogha a dhéanamh chun searmanas a bheith acu áfach, agus má dhéanann sibh an rogha sin, tá na riachtanais díreach cosúil le haon searmanas pósta.

Caithfidh tú na doiciméid seo a leanas a chur ar fáil agus tú ag tabhairt fógra:

• Pas mar aitheantas fótagrafach (mura bhfuil sé seo ar fáil, ní mór duit é seo a phlé leis an gcláraitheoir roimh ré)

• Teastas breithe (caitear stampa “apostille” a bheith air mura teastas breithe Éireannach é)

• Cruthúnas seolta

• Uimhir PSP (Uimhir Phearsanta Seirbhíse Poiblí) (más iomchuí)

Beidh doiciméid eile ag teastáil má tá duine agaibh colscartha, ina baintreach/bhaintreach fir, más duine a raibh a p(h)áirtnéireacht shibhialta dhíscaoilte é/í nó páirtnéir sibhialta marthanach é/í. Cuirfidh an cláraitheoir ar an eolas sibh faoi cad a bheidh ag teastáil i ngach cás i rith na coinne fógraíochta. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh oraibh insint don chláraitheoir an dáta atá ar intinn agaibh don pháirtnéireacht shibhialta, ainm agus dáta breithe na beirte fhinnéithe, agus sonraí faoin suíomh atá ar intinn agaibh (mura mbeidh sé ar siúl sa chlárlann, caithfidh an suíomh a bheith ar oscailt don phobal agus ceadaithe ag an gcláraitheoir).

Má bhí tú pósta nó má rinne tú páirtnéireacht shibhialta thar lear is féidir do chaidreamh a bheith aitheanta mar pháirtnéireacht shibhialta in Éirinn má shásaíonn tú critéir áirithe.

Is féidir tuilleadh eolas a fháil maidir le páirtnéireacht shibhialta a chlárú ar shuíomh Idirlín na Seirbhíse um Chlárú Sibhialta: groireland.ie.