Latest news with #CitizensInformation
Extra.ie
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
What you need to know before buying resale gig tickets
There's still plenty of concerts and festivals taking place over the coming weeks and months, with many still trying to get their hands on some coveted tickets. Unfortunately, with tickets for Electric Picnic and Oasis' two dates in Dublin like gold dust, it's a prime opportunity for scam artists to catch out unsuspecting and desperate fans. While it's not illegal to sell tickets on should you find yourself in a position where you are unable to attend, there are some cases where you can only sell the ticket for the cost price, or less. There's still plenty of concerts and festivals taking place over the coming weeks and months, with many still trying to get their hands on some coveted tickets. Pic: PA Failure to abide by these rules could result in a fine of up to €100,000 or two year jail-time. It is always best to buy a ticket from the event's official seller, with concert-goers warned to be 'very careful' when buying from unofficial sellers. Citizens Information advise to pay via credit or debit card where possible, though be wary of someone asking for bank transfer. Unfortunately, with tickets for Electric Picnic and Oasis' two concerts in Dublin like gold dust, it's a prime opportunity for scam artists to catch out unsuspecting and desperate fans. Pic: Giuseppe Aresu/REX/Shutterstock When buying tickets to events from unofficial sellers you should be aware of their name and address; total price of the ticket; how you're getting the ticket; conditions and procedures for cancellation and complaints handling procedure. As of July 2021 it is illegal to sell tickets for live events, matches and concerts for more than face-value. This applied to designated events — one which has significant demand — or events in designated venues — when have a capacity of 1,000 people or more. Purchasing event tickets from unauthorised sellers often results in fewer legal rights if things go wrong. Electric Picnic. Pic: Irish and EU consumer law does not cover consumer-to-consumer deals, but you should also be aware of admission restrictions — some venues only allow admission to the person who is named on the ticket. You may also be unable to get your money back should the event be cancelled. Citizens Information advise those buying tickets from fellow consumers to do your research and ensure you are not caught in a ticketing scam. On the chance that things do go wrong for you, you should contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for assistance.
Agriland
01-07-2025
- Business
- Agriland
ICMSA calls for €1,000 student fee reduction to be retained
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has called for a reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution fee to be retained in Budget 2026. The student contribution fee has been charged at a reduced rate for the last number of years and was originally announced in Budget 2023 as part a response to the escalating cost of living. The €1,000 reduction has been continued at each subsequent budget. However, according to the Citizens Information website, the maximum rate of the student contribution fee for the coming academic year (2025-2026) will be €3,000, the rate it stood at before the reduction was introduced. Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has also indicated in media interviews in recent days that the fee reduction will not continue in Budget 2026. Responding to this, the ICSMA has expressed 'serious concerns' about the impact on farm families and students. Pat O'Brien, the chairperson of the ICMSA Farm Businesses Committee, said: 'The government suggested before the last election that further education would become more affordable. 'Many families voted for this government with that in mind. 'How have the tables turned so completely? Now we're facing even higher costs to send our kids to college,' O'Brien said. The ICMSA said that the €1,000 fee reduction was introduced as part of Budget 2023 to 'alleviate the cost-of-living' crisis. However, the farm organisation cited the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 7.4% from the time of that announcement to May of this year. According to O'Brien, removing the fee reduction now 'would place additional strain on families already grappling with soaring expenses'. 'Reducing student contribution fees is actually written into the Programme for Government. There's a clear contradiction here if you ask me. Rent for student accommodation is astronomical,' he said. O'Brien added: 'Families can easily spend upwards of €8,000 a year on college accommodation alone. 'If you're sending more than one child to college, the financial pressure is immense and everyone should have the opportunity to attend further education.' The ICMSA is calling on the government to ensure that the €1,000 student fee reduction is part of the next budget, and to consider increasing the reduction.
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Home Economics: Can I evict my tenants for anti-social behaviour under the new rules?
Under the new tenancy rules being brought in, if my tenants are causing anti-social behaviour and need to be evicted, what are my rights in that situation now? Answer Yours is one of very many queries I'm receiving over the new rules applying to both landlords and tenants which the Minister for Housing is in the process of implementing. That serves only to emphasise how confusing it all is, so hopefully precise and clear information will emanate to all parties sooner rather than later. The legislation will take effect (we are told) from March 1, 2026, and apply in different ways to 'small' and 'large' landlords. I will assume for this purpose you are the former – that is, having three or fewer tenancies. Under the current, and new, arrangements, it is only 'no fault' evictions which are mentioned. That means circumstances where the tenant has done nothing wrong, but the landlord wants to sell up or evict for his own personal reasons, such as a family member needing the property, or because the lease is up. You remain entitled to end a tenancy if a tenant doesn't meet their obligations, which includes circumstances where, for instance, they don't pay their rent or have caused damage. Normally you must give a written warning 28 days before the Notice of Termination is issued; however, according to Citizens Information, if the behaviour is seriously anti-social, you do not have to give a warning notice but can issue notice to vacate with seven days' notice. You are advised to issue a warning letter outlining the unacceptable behaviour and give them a 'reasonable opportunity' to amend it The legislation defines anti-social behaviour as that which 'constitutes the commission of an offence that is reasonably likely to directly affect the well-being or welfare of others; causes (or could cause) fear, danger, injury, damage or loss to any person living, working or otherwise lawfully in the dwelling concerned or its vicinity, including violence, intimidation, coercion, harassment or obstruction of or threats to any such person'. If the behaviour falls short of this conduct, but is persistent or has interfered with another tenant or neighbour's right to enjoy peaceful occupation of their property, you are advised to issue a warning letter outlining the unacceptable behaviour and give them a 'reasonable opportunity' to amend it. Failing to do so means you can then issue notice on them with 28 days' notice that the tenancy is ending. The Residential Tenancies Board ( has great material and sample letters to download so that the tone and letter of the law are met. None of that is changing with these new rules.
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Holiday warning for anyone on social welfare – the must-know rules to follow or your payments could be stopped
IRISH social welfare recipients intending on travelling this summer are being urged to remember important rules to avoid their payments being stopped. You can continue to get certain Advertisement But this depends on the amount of time you are going for, or if you are getting Most social insurance The duration depends on the payment itself, along with your circumstances. But to get a social assistance payment, you must live in the state. Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY When heading on In general, you can take up to two weeks' holiday each year with no change to your social welfare payment. But it's important to always notify your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office before you leave and check your entitlements. If you're heading away for longer, your social welfare payment may not be paid. Advertisement Most read in Money If you live outside Ireland, these payments can be paid abroad: Invalidity Pension State Pension (Contributory) Disablement Benefit. The Constant Attendance Allowance increase is only paid for up to 6 months. If you are abroad for medical treatment you may continue to get Incapacity Supplement, though claims are assessed on a case by case basis. Guardian's Payment (Contributory) Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension Death Benefits under the Occupational Injury Benefit Scheme CONDITIONS MUST BE FULFILLED Increases may also continue to be paid if it is the qualified adult or child who is out of the State, but the normal conditions of dependency must continue to be fulfilled. If you are getting one of these payments and are going abroad for a few weeks, you don't have to notify the Department of Social Protection. If you are heading Advertisement You will then be asked to produce evidence proving that you continue to fulfil qualifying conditions. According to Citizens Information, this includes: "You must not be married or in a new civil partnership or cohabitating with someone to continue to get a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension." To get social welfare paid while you are abroad, contact the section in the Department of Social Protection that pays your payment and give your This will allow them to transfer your payment directly into a bank account while you are abroad. Advertisement If payment is already made into your bank account in Ireland, you can continue to have it paid as it is or change it to a financial institution outside the country. ALWAYS NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT Citizens information added: "You must always notify the Department of a permanent or temporary absence from the State and give your contact address abroad." Injury benefit can be paid while you are abroad if you are receiving approved medical treatment. Illness Benefit can be paid for up to four weeks while you are on holiday in an Advertisement If you move to another EEA member state, you can continue to get Illness Benefit - but you must meet all the qualifying criteria, including submitting medical certificates to the DSP. If you move to another country covered by EU Regulations and become ill, you can apply for Illness Benefit from Ireland. But to do this, you must have paid your last insurance contribution in Ireland or been getting Jobseeker's Benefit in Ireland before you went abroad. The payment is not paid in countries that are not covered by EU Regulations, but if you go to one of these countries to get approved treatment, your payment may resume when you return. Advertisement Carer's Benefit can be paid to you if you accompany the person you care for abroad to get medical treatment. RESPITE BREAK Or, you can go abroad on a respite break for a maximum of three weeks. It may be paid to you if you are providing full-time care to another person in the Maternity Benefit or Adoptive Benefit can be paid to citizens of the EU/EEA, Advertisement Citizens of countries outside of the EU/EEA, Switzerland or the But to continue getting the payment, you must notify the Department before leaving. Paternity Benefit can be paid to EU and non-EU citizens for a maximum of 2 weeks while abroad, but again, you must notify the Department in advance. Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit, Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) and Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) can be transferred to another EEA member state for up to 13 weeks (78 days), provided you are looking for work there. Advertisement You must be getting Jobseeker's Benefit for four weeks before you can transfer it to another EEA member state, though this requirement can be waived in some cases. But you must register with employment services in the country you are looking for work in within one week. OUTSIDE STATE You should let the Department know that you will be going on holiday at least two weeks before. This can be done on a verified MyWelfare account, or by filling in a holiday entitlement form at your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. Advertisement But it's important to note that the following payments are not paid outside the State: Deserted Wife's Allowance Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) Prisoner's Wife's Allowance Supplementary Welfare Allowance Health and Safety Benefit You should contact the officer dealing with your claim if you are leaving the country, even for a short period of time. But payment can be made in certain circumstances for short holidays if the officer agrees. Advertisement When it comes to the UK, after 1 There are certain rules to follow if going abroad Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Thousands of Irish workers could be entitled to compensation or day off for working May Bank Holiday Monday
A VAST majority of public workers are off on Monday for the May Bank Holiday as it is a statutory holiday. However, that's not the case for everyone, as a few thousand Irish workers are not guaranteed the time off from work on the day. Advertisement 1 People working on a public holiday are entitled to some compensation Credit: Getty Images - Getty Businesses, such as shops and restaurants, remain open as normal on the public holiday. And many of those who are scheduled to work on Monday are entitled to some kind of compensation. Irish workers are entitled to an additional day's pay or a day off in lieu of the public Alternatively, they could be allowed to take an extra day for annual leave. Advertisement READ MORE ON MONEY Citizens Information states that part-time Additionally, they declare that a part-time worker who meets the requirements will receive payment for the day even if they are not working. They will be eligible for an extra day's salary if they work on the holiday. The experts said: "If you don't normally work on a certain day but it's a public holiday, you should get paid one-fifth of your weekly pay. Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "Even if you never work on public holidays, you still get paid a fifth of your weekly pay as compensation for the public holiday." Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted Part-time employees on sick leave are still entitled to the public holiday they have missed, but this is only the case if they have worked a total of 40 hours in the past five weeks. Full-time workers on sick leave during the public holiday are entitled to the benefit for the holiday they missed. Citizens Information said: "Your employer can also choose to regard you as not on sick leave on the public holiday and pay you as normal for the public holiday. Advertisement "If this is the case, the public holiday is not counted as a sick leave day." You are also entitled to leave for any public holidays that occur while you are on maternity leave, parental leave, paternity leave, adoptive leave, parent's leave or domestic violence leave. LIST OF IRELAND'S BANK HOLIDAYS FOR 2025 Wednesday, January 1 – New Year's Day Monday, February 3 – St Brigid's Day Monday, March 17 – St Patrick's Day Monday, April 21 – Easter Monday Monday, May 5 – May Day Monday, June 2 – June Bank Holiday Monday, August 4 – August Bank Holiday Monday, October 27 – October Bank Holiday Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day Friday, December 26 – St Stephen's Day However, they are not entitled to public holiday benefits if they were absent from work immediately before the public holiday and their absence is: Over 13 weeks, due to lay off or some other reason and authorised by your employer Due to a strike After the first 13 weeks of carer's leave LAID OFF OR NOT RECEIVING YOUR BENEFIT? If you are laid off or short-time working, you are still employed by your employer and your contract of employment remains in force, meaning you are entitled to benefits for any public holiday that occurs during the first 13 weeks. Advertisement If you have worked for your employer for the last four weeks and your employment ends during the week on the day before a public holiday, you should receive an extra day's salary for the public holiday. This also covers part-time workers who have put in at least 40 hours over the last five weeks. In an event where a person is not receiving their public holiday entitlement, they should discuss this with their employer. Alternatively, they can also complain to the WRC under the Organisation of Working Time Act using the online complaint form within six months of the dispute or complaint occurring. Advertisement
