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Can my daughter use my  Disabled Person’s Parking Permit if she is going to the shops for me?

A Disabled Person’s Parking Permit (also called EU Parking Card) is only issued to a person with a disability. The permit shows the name and photograph of the person it has been issued to. Your daughter cannot use your Disabled Person’s Parking Permit unless you are with her.

Only you can use it. However, you can use your permit for any vehicle you are travelling in, either as a driver or as a passenger. This means that if you are being driven at different times by different people you can bring the parking permit and display it in whichever vehicle you are using. So, if your daughter is driving you, she can use it to park her car in a disabled person’s parking space.

The permit allows you to use the public parking spaces assigned for vehicles being used by a person with a disability. These spaces or parking bays have the wheelchair symbol painted on the ground or have a sign with the wheelchair symbol displayed. Most accessible parking bays are located near amenities such as shops, post offices and schools.

Car parking spaces with the wheelchair symbol are usually wider than most other car parking spaces to allow drivers or passengers with a disability to get from their car seat to their wheelchair. If you travel to any EU country with your parking permit you can park in a disabled person’s parking space or bay.

The Disabled Person’s Parking Permit is administered by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA). Both organisations provide detailed information on how to use and apply for the Disabled Person’s Parking Permit. In Ireland, an EU parking permit is issued for two years. 

During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

My landlord has asked me to leave my rented accommodation. Can I be evicted during COVID-19?

Under COVID-19 restrictions, an eviction ban automatically kicks in any time people’s movement is restricted to 5 kilometres from their home. This means that you cannot be evicted at the moment while Ireland is at Level 5, and for a ten-day grace period after this.

Your landlord can give you an eviction notice during this time. However, the notice is paused while these restrictions are in place and for 10 days after restrictions are lifted. This means the date you are due to be evicted is extended by 10 days, plus the amount of time Ireland is at Level 5.

These protections do not apply if your landlord is asking you to leave for one of the following reasons:

• Anti-social behaviour
• Acting in a way that would invalidate a house insurance policy
• Acting in a way that would cause substantial damage to the accommodation
• Using the accommodation for commercial or other non-residential purposes

If the eviction notice is for one of these reasons, the eviction can go ahead once the appropriate notice period expires.

For more information on the eviction ban, see the Residential Tenancies Board’s guidance document and FAQs. If you are threatened with eviction, you should call Threshold for advice.

You can find more information about Renting and COVID-19 on citizensinformation.ie.

During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

I have to retire at 65, and can’t claim my State pension until I’m 66. What can I do?

Many people, under their contract of employment, must retire at 65. However, State pensions are not paid until you are 66.

If you retire at 65, you may be able to get a new social welfare benefit. This is paid until you reach 66 and can claim a State pension. It is similar to Jobseeker’s Benefit, but you don’t need to be looking for work or sign on at your local Intreo centre. It is only available to people aged 65.

To qualify for this benefit, you must have stopped work, be living in Ireland and meet the social insurance (PRSI) conditions.

If you were an employee, you must have paid at least 39 PRSI contributions at Class A, H or P or have credited contributions in the governing contribution year – this is the second last complete tax year before the year you claim.  You must also have paid at least 104 PRSI contributions at Class A, H or P (or at least 156 PRSI contributions at Class S).

If you were self-employed, you must have paid 52 PRSI self-employment contributions at Class S in the governing contribution year and have paid at least 156 PRSI contributions at Class S (or at least 104 PRSI contributions at Class A or H).

You can take up a course provided you inform the Department of Social Protection. You can also continue in subsidiary employment.

You can claim for an adult dependant and any dependent children.

You will continue to get credited contributions while you are on the payment – these can count towards your State pension.

The quickest way to apply for the scheme is through MyWelfare.ie. You can also email forms@welfare.ie to get a paper application posted to you. 

You can read more about this new payment for people who retire at 65 on citizensinformation.ie

During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

I’m looking for some simple information on first steps after a bereavement for my sister who has been widowed. Can you recommend an appropriate resource?

Bereavement can be overwhelming and your sister may be going through many different emotions. The Citizens Information Board (CIB) has published a booklet that may be of help to your sister at this difficult time.

Bereavement – A practical guide (pdf) answers questions she may have about accessing money, getting help with funeral expenses, dealing with her loved one’s estate, and other practical issues she may be worried about. It has information on dealing with the loss of a loved one during COVID-19, as well as contact details for a range of support services available to those who have been bereaved.

You can get the guide online at citizensinformationboard.ie. You can also get a printed copy from your local Citizens Information Centre. 

You can get more information about any of the topics covered in the booklet on citizensinformation.ie. The website has detailed information on practical arrangements after a death, and all of the latest information on death and bereavement during COVID-19.

During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

The closing date for applying to college was 1 February. Can I still apply?

You apply for almost all full-time undergraduate courses through the Central Applications Office (CAO). This includes, for example, university and institutes of technology undergraduate courses such as Higher Certificates at Level 6 and degrees at Levels 7 and 8.

The closing date for 2021 CAO applications was 1 February 2021. However, late applications are allowed up to 5.15pm on 1 May 2021.

There is a fee to apply for courses through the CAO and late applications pay an increased fee. Late online applications cost €60.

Regardless of when you applied, you can access your application to change the courses you picked or the order of courses. This Change of Mind facility is free. It opens on 5 May and closes on 1 July 2021 at 5:15pm.

If you want to be assessed as a mature applicant, or if you want to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes, most colleges require you to have applied to the CAO by 1 February 2021. You must submit your completed application for DARE and/or HEAR by 1 March 2021 and submit all your supporting documents by 15 March 2021.

There are also some restricted courses which you cannot apply for after 1 February 2021. 

The CAO’s handbook lists all the courses on offer and gives information on how to apply.

Decisions on offers of places are normally made in August and September, after the results of the Leaving Certificate have come out. A detailed schedule of the offer rounds is in the CAO handbook.

It is important to note that there is no central applications body for Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses. Students must apply directly to the individual colleges. You should check the closing date for PLC courses with the college where the PLC course is taking place.

During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

I’m working from home because of COVID-19. Can I claim tax back on my utility bills?

If you are working from home (also known as e-working or remote working), you may be able to claim tax back on your broadband, heating and electricity bills.

You qualify for the tax relief if your employer formally requested you to work from home and you:

• Log onto a work computer remotely
• Complete your duties from home
• Work at home for substantial periods of time

This applies to part-time and full-time workers.

How much can I claim?

Some employers already pay their employees an allowance towards broadband, heating and electricity expenses. You can get up to €3.20 per day without paying any tax, PRSI or USC on it. However, you must pay tax, PRSI and USC as normal on any amount above €3.20.

If your employer does not pay you an allowance for expenses, you can make a claim for tax relief at the end of the year using Revenue’s myAccount service.  

The amount you get is based on:

• How many days you worked from home (excluding non-working days and annual leave)
• The cost of the expenses
• Revenue’s agreed rate for calculating the cost of running a home office (10% of your electricity and heating bills and 30% of your broadband bill)

If you split your bills with someone else (such as a partner or house mate), you can only claim tax relief on your share of the bill.

Keep a record of all your receipts and bills so that you can account for each expense you intend to claim. You may also need a letter from your employer stating that you work from home.

How do I submit my claim?

You can see worked examples of how to calculate your claim. Example 1 covers a person who pays the bills on her own. Example 2 explains how to calculate e-working costs where you share your bills with someone else.

Claim your tax relief at the end of the year using Revenue’s myAccount service.  

1. Sign into myAccount
2. Click on ‘Review your tax’ link in PAYE Services
3. Select the Income Tax return for the relevant tax year
4. In the ‘Tax Credits and Reliefs’ page (Page 4 of 5) select the ‘Your job’ tab. Select ‘Remote Working Expenses’ and insert the amount of expense at the ‘Amount Claimed’ section

Read more about e-working and tax relief.

During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

On 12 January 2021, the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes (pdf) was published. On Wednesday 13 January 2021, the Taoiseach made a statement in the Dáil on the report and its contents and apologised on behalf of the Government, the State and its citizens to the survivors. This was followed by a statement and apology from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The Government has published FAQs explaining the findings of the report.

The report is available online. Printed copies of the full report can be requested by former residents or family members who need to provide the Department with a postal address. More information about ordering full copies will be published shortly. There is no charge for the report for former residents. Printed copies of the full report will also be available in public locations such as libraries and Citizens Information Centres, when the public health situation permits.

Shorter copies of the report are available immediately. This version includes approximately 304 pages covering the Introduction, Timeline, Executive Summary, Recommendations and Confidential Committee Report. For a copy of the shorter report, call 01-6473200 or email motherandbabyhomes@equality.gov.ie. 

Counselling supports for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes have been published on gov.ie. A new webpage with information on counselling services specifically for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes has been set up by the HSE. Additional mental health supports provided/funded by the HSE are also available to former residents. 

The Barnardos Post Adoption Service has extended its support line on (01) 4546388, or by email adoption@banardos.ie and is available Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm. Support groups for adopted adults and birthmothers are also available.

I ordered something online from a UK website – will I have to pay extra charges when it arrives?

From 1 January 2021, you may have to pay extra tax when having your online shopping delivered from the UK (this does not include Northern Ireland). This is because the UK has left the European Union (Brexit)and the transition period that was in place ended on 31 December 2020.

Depending on the item’s value and where it was made (place of origin), you may have to pay:

• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Customs duty

How will I know if I owe these taxes?

If your package is valued at €22 or less (including the transport, insurance and handling costs), you do not have to pay any VAT or customs duty.

However, if your package is valued at €23 or more (including the transport, insurance and handling costs), you have to pay VAT. The standard rate of VAT for most items bought in Ireland is 21%.

If the items were made in the UK and are valued at €150 or more (not including transport, insurance and handling charges), you do not have to pay customs duty.

However, if the items were not made in the UK and are valued at €150 or more (excluding transport, insurance and handling charges), you may have to pay customs duty. The amount of customs duty you pay depends on the type of product you buy.

You should be aware that the value limits are for the whole delivery, not just one item.

How do I pay these charges, and who do I pay them to?

You may have already paid Irish VAT and customs duty during the checkout stage of your online purchase. This is because some UK retailers are registered with Revenue and automatically charge the relevant taxes as part of the purchase. Check your receipt (this is usually sent to you by email) to see if you have already paid Irish VAT or customs duty.

If the UK business is not registered with Revenue, the postal service or courier will send you a bill before delivering your package. This is because the postal service or courier completes all the relevant customs declarations, including where the product is manufactured. You will usually be charged an administration fee for this service, which can be a minimum of €10 to €15.

Are there any other changes to my consumer rights when I buy from the UK?

As a result of Brexit, there are changes to your consumer rights when buying online from businesses in the UK. You will still have consumer rights but they will be set down in UK law and not EU law. It is very important to check the terms and conditions on the seller’s website to find out your rights around:

• Returning the item if you change your mind
• Cancelling the item before it is dispatched
• Complaining if something goes wrong

Read more about buying online from the UK after Brexit, including what to do if things go wrong.

During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

I attend a DEIS school and want to go to university. My family are not well off.  Is there anything to help me go to college?

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) helps school-leavers who may not traditionally go on to third-level education access it. Under the HEAR scheme, third-level places are allocated to school-leavers on a reduced points basis.  For example, a HEAR student with 356 points might get a place on a course that usually requires 366 points.

Participating colleges also provide extra supports for HEAR students.

When you apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO) for a college place, you must indicate on your CAO application that you wish to be considered for HEAR. To qualify for HEAR, you must meet certain indicators or criteria related to your financial, social and cultural circumstances. For example, your family income must be below a certain limit for your family size. Other factors are taken into account such as having a medical card, attending a school in the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme and living in a disadvantaged area.

You must apply to the CAO by 1 February 2021 and complete your HEAR application by 1 March 2021. Copies of your supporting documents must reach the CAO by 15 March 2021. Late applications are not accepted.

You should start preparing your HEAR application as soon as possible. You will need to gather supporting documents, such as information from the Revenue Commissioners, a statement of income from the Department of Social Protection and whatever other documents are required in your case.

You can get more information in the HEAR 2021 handbook (pdf) and accesscollege.ie. Your school can also provide information and support.  You can get more information about HEAR on citizensinformation.ie

During the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

Your Preliminary End of Year Statement from Revenue will be available in Revenue’s myAccount from 15 January 2021. It tells you whether your tax position is balanced or if you have underpaid or overpaid tax for 2020.

If you were on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) or the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) during 2020 and have a tax underpayment, you can get more information about how you can repay.