:: Your Citizens Information Archive 2012

• Q. I will be 65 in 2013 and I will qualify for a contributory state pension. What do I need to know about other benefits in retirement?
  Answer - click here 03.12.12

• Q. My landlord promised to refurbish my flat, as it’s quite basic and I share a bathroom with another tenant. He now says he doesn’t have to refurbish, as I have been renting since 2007 and he says the legal standards don’t apply to my flat. Is this correct?
  Answer - click here 19.11.12

• Q. I was born in Ireland but lived in Britain for most of my life and my children were all born there. My daughter is now expecting her first child who will be born in the UK. My daughter is an Irish citizen. Can the baby become an Irish citizen?
  Answer - click here 05.11.12

• Q. Last month, I left my job and moved to England to start a postgraduate course. Can I get a refund of the tax I paid from January to August this year?
  Answer - click here 21.10.12

• Q. Last month, I returned to live in Ireland after living abroad for some years. How do I find out whether I am still registered to vote?
  Answer - click here 08.10.12

• Q. I was told that I may have to switch over to a new television service called Saorview. What is the digital switchover and where can I find out more about this?
  Answer - click here 01.10.12

• Q. My partner has been violent towards me and my children. What can I do to stop him and protect my family?
  Answer - click here 27.09.12

• Q. How do I register my septic tank?
  Answer - click here 17.09.12

• Q. What social welfare support is there to help with heating costs in the winter?
  Answer - click here 10.09.12

• Q. Can I claim any tax relief on my tuition fees for a third-level course?
  Answer - click here 03.09.12

• Q. I will be moving temporarily to another part of the country. What should I do to ensure that I will still be covered by my Medical Card?
  Answer - click here 27.08.12

• Q. My son is going abroad for the first time. What would happen if he lost his passport while he was travelling?
  Answer - click here 21.08.12

• Q. I am getting a reduced rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance as my wife is working. I am thinking of applying for a Community Employment scheme. As the work on the scheme is only part-time how much will I get?
  Answer - click here 06.08.12

• Q. If I am not happy with my Leaving Certificate results, can I appeal the grades?
  Answer - click here 30.07.12

• Q. My Northern Ireland free travel pass (Senior SmartPass) is due for renewal soon. How do I go about this?
  Answer - click here 23.07.12

• Q. We are planning a family holiday in Norway and Sweden. What happens if one of us becomes ill? Are we covered for any medical costs incurred?
  Answer - click here 17.07.12

• Q. My widowed brother has just turned 66. He wants to travel all over Ireland, including Northern Ireland. How does he get his Free Travel Pass and can I travel with him for free as well (I am not 66 yet)?
  Answer - click here 02.07.12

• Q. I’m leaving school and hope to go to college this autumn. How do I apply for a student grant?
  Answer - click here 25.06.12

• Q. I am about to rent a room in an apartment and I will be living with my landlord. What do I need to know?
  Answer - click here 18.06.12

• Q. How do I find out if I have penalty points on my driving licence?
  Answer - click here 13.06.12

• Q. What is the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance?
  Answer - click here 06.06.12

• Q. How do I apply for Child Benefit for my new baby and when will it be paid?
  Answer - click here 28.05.12

• Q. My children found a dog in our local park last week. It had no collar or identification. We’d like to keep the dog. What should we do?
  Answer - click here 21.05.12

• Q. I am going back to work after a period of unemployment. Can I keep my medical card?
  Answer - click here 16.05.12

• Q. I am separated from my partner. Our two children come and stay with me one night a week. I am getting Rent Supplement and I’d like to rent a larger apartment to accommodate them. Can I qualify for a higher Rent Supplement payment?
  Answer - click here 09.05.12

• Q. I work part-time from Wednesday to Friday each week. I was off work sick over the Easter period. My employer does not pay any sick pay for employees who are ill. However in my pay packet I was paid for Easter Monday but not for Good Friday. I never work on Mondays so I don’t understand why I got this extra pay. Is this correct?
  Answer - click here 30.04.12

• Q. My Jobseeker’s Benefit claim is at an end and I have applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance. I’ve been told I must make myself available for interview. Why is there an interview?
  Answer - click here 16.04.12

• Q. I am getting a One-Parent Family Payment and my Rent Supplement claim is being reviewed. My current rent is over the new limit but I am tied into a lease for another 4 months. Will I be asked to move out of my home?
  Answer - click here 02.04.12

• Q. I lost my job last year and I heard that there is a work experience scheme which will give me an extra payment on top of my Jobseeker’s Benefit. Can you tell me more about it?
  Answer - click here 28.03.12

• Q. I am a shop assistant and I had to work on Monday 2 January. My employer said that as New Year’s Day was on a Sunday the Monday was not a public holiday and we had to come to work. Is that right?
  Answer - click here 21.03.12

• Q. I got a letter about changes to the One-Parent Family Payment. I have been getting it since my husband died in 1998. I have 3 children who are all still in education and the youngest is 17. He will turn 18 in 2013 and will do his Leaving Certificate that year. The only other income I have is from a part-time job. Will my payment stop from January 2013?
  Answer - click here 11.03.12

• Q. My elderly mother doesn’t know how to pay the Household Charge. Can you tell me what she should do?
  Answer - click here 04.03.12

• Q. I get a Carer’s Allowance for one of my children. My husband is working and we get FIS (Family Income Supplement). I heard that our FIS might be reduced. Can you explain why?
  Answer - click here 28.02.12

• Q. I get Rent Supplement for my wife and myself and I hear that it is to be reduced. Can you tell me by how much?
  Answer - click here 20.02.12

• Q. I don’t really understand how social welfare payments are taxed. Can you explain?
  Answer - click here 12.02.12

• Q. I am a bit confused by the new Household Charge. Who has to pay it?
  Answer - click here 05.02.12

• Q. Has there been any change to the Universal Social Charge in Budget 2012?
  Answer - click here 29.01.12

• Q. What budget changes were made to the One-Parent Family Payments?
  Answer - click here 22.01.12

• Q. I’m confused about the changes that were made to Mortgage Interest Relief in Budget 2012. I’m a first-time buyer who started paying my mortgage in 2006. When will my entitlement expire and what rate of relief am I entitled to?
  Answer - click here 15.01.12

• Q. I have four children. The last two are twins. What Child Benefit payment I will get in 2012?
  Answer - click here 09.01.12

• Q. I’m confused about the changes that were made to Mortgage Interest Relief in Budget 2012. I’m a first-time buyer who started paying my mortgage in 2006. When will my entitlement expire and what rate of relief am I entitled to?
  Answer - click here 02.01.12

> Citizens Information Archives

Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741