What's New

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has launched a public consultation on proposals regarding modernisation of the electoral registration process.

Proposals for modernisation of the register include:

• Simplification of forms and process
• A rolling register or continuous registration
• Optional online registration and secure self-service
• Moving to individual registration only
• Enabling a single national register database with unique identifiers
• Moving to verified identity using PPS numbers
• Data sharing to maintain accuracy and comprehensiveness

You can visit housing.gov.ie to find out more and make a submission on the proposals. The deadline for submissions is Friday 15 March 2019.

The Government has published practical advice to help businesses and citizens around the country prepare for Brexit on gov.ie.

This includes advice and information for businesses and individuals on Brexit and Business and Brexit and You.

@BrexitReadyIRL is the main Government Twitter account for Brexit news. You can also sign up for regular updates on Brexit at dfa.ie.

Information on what Brexit means for citizens is also available here on citizensinformation.ie including:

• What is Brexit?
• Brexit and you
• Brexit information and supports

The Government published the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019 (pdf) on 22 February 2019.

The legislation aims to prepare Ireland for a disorderly Brexit (also called a “no-deal Brexit”). The Bill is made up of 15 parts and crosses the remit of 9 Government ministers. It is expected that the Bill will be ready for commencement by 29 March 2019 and each part will be commenced by the individual minister at the appropriate time.

However, many of the provisions in the Bill will only be necessary if the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019 under a no-deal scenario.

You can read a summary of the Bill in the Explanatory Memorandum (pdf). 

Question

I have ordered a few presents online. Can I return them if I change my mind when I get them?

Answer

If you bought your goods from a business based in the EU, they are covered by the EU Directive on Consumer Rights. Under this Directive, you are entitled to a cooling-off period of 14 days. During the cooling-off period, you can cancel distance contracts such as online purchases without giving a reason and without incurring charges or penalties, other than possible charges for returning the goods. The 14-day cooling-off period begins on the day that you receive the goods.

The distance seller must repay you for the goods including delivery costs within 14 days of cancellation,. If you chose a more expensive type of delivery than the seller’s cheapest standard delivery, you are only entitled to be refunded the cost of the cheaper delivery type. The seller can withhold the repayment until the goods are returned or until you supply evidence that you have sent the goods back.

You must send the goods back within 14 days of informing the seller of the cancellation. You may have to pay for the cost of returning them. The seller must have informed you of these costs before you completed the purchase.

The seller should also have given you confirmation of the contract, as well as information on aftersales and guarantees, how to cancel the contract and a postal address for complaints. If the seller did not provide you with information on your right to cancel, the cooling-off period can be extended by 12 months.

Some purchases are not covered by the cooling-off period. These include customised or perishable goods and bookings for transport or accommodation.

If you bought your goods from a business based outside the EU, they are not covered under the EU Directive. For these goods, you should check the terms and conditions on the website of the business you bought them from.

Question

I work part-time from Wednesday to Friday. This year Christmas fell on a Tuesday. Should I get paid for Christmas Day, even though I didn’t work that day?  What about New Year’s Day which fell on the following Tuesday?

Answer

Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day are public holidays. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are not. All workers are entitled to paid time off or pay for a public holiday. (Your employer can decide whether to give you time off or pay.) Part-time workers must have worked for the employer for at least 40 hours in the previous five-week period to have a public holiday entitlement.

If you work part-time and the public holiday falls on a day that you usually work you are entitled to a day’s pay or a paid day off for the public holiday. Part-time workers who are not rostered to work on a public holiday are also entitled to pay or to paid time off for the public holiday. This is one-fifth of their normal pay for the week as compensation for the holiday.

In your case, you should get one-fifth of your normal weekly pay for each of the two public holidays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. So you should get the additional pay or the equivalent amount of time off. Your employer can decide which option to give you.

If you have to work on a public holiday you are entitled to be paid at your usual rate and you are also entitled to either an additional day’s pay or a paid day off. You can get detailed information on employment rights from the workplacerelations.ie website.

The HSE provides information and support on all your options, including continued pregnancy supports and abortion services on myoptions.ie.

The My Options freephone line will be open from 1 January 2019 on 1800 828 010.

Citizens Information Board

The Citizens Information Board will be closed on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 December and on Tuesday 1 January 2019.

Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS)

CIPS can be contacted on 0761 07 4000. Its opening hours are:

Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS)

Check with your local service.

The MABS Helpline can be contacted on 0761 07 2000. Its opening hours are:

Citizens Information Services

Check with your local Citizens Information Centre.