Paying the Local Property Tax

Know Your Rights : Paying the Local Property Tax

October 2014

Question
I paid the Local Property Tax by credit card this time last year. Is it the same amount for 2015 and how do I pay? 
Answer 
Your Local Property Tax (LPT) is based on the valuation of your property on 1 May 2013. However, the rate you pay for 2015 may vary from the 2014 rate, following the introduction of the local adjustment factor. This means that the basic LPT rates can be adjusted up or down by up to15% in different local authority areas. Fourteen local authorities have reduced 2015 LPT rates in their areas by up to 15%. You can use Revenue's online calculator to check how much LPT is payable in different local authority areas.
As you paid your LPT for 2014 in one lump sum, you will get a letter from Revenue (or an email if you are a ROS customer) telling you whether your local authority changed the rate for 2015 and confirming the amount of LPT due. If you own more than one property, the letter will confirm the total amount due for all your properties. It will include your Property ID and PIN. 
When you get this letter you must confirm how you want to pay your 2015 LPT to Revenue. You can choose to continue to pay your LPT in the way you paid it in 2014 or you can change your payment method. You will recall from last year that, if you pay by credit card, the deduction will be made on the day that the transaction is completed online.
You must contact Revenue by 25 November 2014 if you want to switch to a phased payment method or by 7 January 2015 if you want to pay in full in one lump sum. The easiest way to do this is to use the LPT online system. If you need help with the online system you can call the LPT helpline on 1890 200 255.
People who didn’t pay their 2014 LPT in a lump sum do not get a letter from Revenue and they do not need to do anything unless they want to change their payment method. Revenue will apply any rate reductions automatically.  You can get more information from Revenue.
Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Dungloe Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 0761075431 Address: Dungloe Public Services Centre, Gweedore Road, Dungloe.
Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

Household Benefits Package and water charges

Know Your Rights : Household Benefits Package and water charges

Sept/October 2014

Question

I live alone and get a State Pension. Will I be able to get any help with the new water charges?

Answer

Domestic water charges will apply from 1 October 2014 and the first bills will issue from January 2015. A free allowance of a certain amount of water will be provided for every household, with extra allowances for children. If you are getting the Household Benefits Package, you will also get help with the cost of water charges.

From January 2015 the Household Benefits Package will include a new annual Water Support payment of €100 (made up of four equal payments of €25). The Water Support payment will be paid to everyone who qualifies for the Household Benefits Package. This includes people who are not customers of Irish Water and who either have their own water supply or are members of a group scheme.

If you are currently getting the Household Benefits Package and get your allowance as a credit on your bill, the Department of Social Protection (DSP) does not hold payment details for you. In September 2014 the DSP contacted customers to ask them to complete a form with their bank account information so the Water Support payment can be paid directly. The Water Support payment can also be paid in post offices.

The Water Support payment will be paid directly to you, not to Irish Water. If your home is connected to a public water supply (or to public wastewater services) you will need to set up an account with Irish Water to pay your water charges and to claim the free household allowance. Irish Water has sent customer application packs to all households, to be returned by 31 October 2014.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Dungloe Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Tel: 0761075431  Address: Dungloe Public Services Centre, Gweedore Road, Dungloe.

Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

Irish language Courses - TEG

Léirithe suime - expressions of interest

Ranganna Gaeilge - Irish classes

Enrol now with Comharchumann Arainn Mhór for Irish classes due to commence in Autumn 2014.

Tel; 0749520533

County Roads

Tá an comharchumann ag cur liosta do bhóithre chontae an oileáin a bhfuil poill iontu, i gceann a chéile don Co Co. Déan teagmháil leis an chomharchumann chun na bóithre chontae ar a bhfuil obair chothabhála ag teastail orthu a chur ar an liosta. 

An comharchumann is on behalf of Donegal Co Co, compiling a list of county roads on the island which require pothole repair works. Contact an comharchumann to add county roads which require maintenence works to the list.

County Roads are roads which are maintained by the Council
Non-county roads are not maintained by the Council

Know Your Rights : Importing a car

August 2014

Question

I’m living in Ireland but I want to buy a second-hand car in the UK. What steps do I have to take when I bring the car to Ireland?

Answer

Within seven days of bringing the car to Ireland you must make an appointment to bring the car to your local National Car Testing Service (NCTS) centre in order to register it and pay Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). See ncts.ie to book an appointment and for details of the documents you need to bring with you.

The car will be examined at the NCTS centre and the details will be used by Revenue to assess the amount of VRT payable, based on the value of the car. Revenue provides an online VRT Calculator that you can use to get an estimate of how much you will have to pay, see revenue.ie. You pay the VRT to the NCTS. You must complete the registration process within 30 days of the vehicle's arrival in Ireland.

You will get a receipt for the VRT paid, showing the new registration number for your car. You must display this number on your car within three days. You can buy registration number plates at the NCTS centre or at a motor factors.

You will also get Form RF100, which you will need when you pay motor tax. To pay motor tax, you will also need to insure the car and have your insurance details. You can pay motor tax online at motortax.ie or at the Motor Taxation Office of your local authority.

After you have paid the motor tax, the Vehicle Registration Certificate will be issued to you by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

If the car is four years old or more it must also undergo the National Car Test immediately.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by  Dungloe Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 0761075430 Address: Dungloe Public Services Centre, Gweedore Road.

Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

Know Your Rights : Vaccinations when travelling abroad

July 2014

Question

We are planning a round-the-world trip later this year. Should we think about getting vaccinations?

Answer

You should consider getting vaccinations if you are travelling outside of Western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Health risks vary from country to country, so you will need to get advice about this well before you travel – ask your family doctor, the Health Service Executive (HSE) or your travel agent.

You will also find relevant information on the World Health Organization Country List. The HSE website has information on the different types of vaccines, such as those for cholera or tuberculosis – hse.ie.

Travel vaccinations are not covered by the medical card so you will have to pay the full cost for them.

Start the process of vaccination in good time before you travel. Some vaccines take time to become effective, so give yourself at least 8 weeks for full protection.

An early start is particularly important if you plan to travel with children. The BCG vaccination against tuberculosis (TB), for example, should be given at least 3 months before your child travels.

Some countries require you to have certain vaccinations and you will need to show an International Certificate of Vaccination in order to gain access to these countries. Other vaccinations are recommended and you can decide yourself whether to get them.

If you feel unwell on your return to Ireland, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Give full details of the countries you visited.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Dungloe Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 0761075430 Address: Dungloe Public Services Centre

Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

Bíodh Eolas agat ar do Chearta : Vacsaínithe agus taisteal thar lear á dhéanamh

Ceist

Tá sé beartaithe againn dul ar thuras ar fud an domhain níos moille i mbliana. Ar cheart dúinn breithniú a dhéanamh ar vacsaínithe a fháil?

Freagra

Ba cheart daoibh breithniú a dhéanamh ar vacsaínithe a fháil más rud é go bhfuil sibh ag taisteal lasmuigh d’Iarthar na hEorpa, de Mheiriceá Thuaidh, den Astráil agus den Nua-Shéalainn. Bíonn éagsúlacht i rioscaí sláinte ó thír go tír. Dá bhrí sin, beidh oraibh comhairle a fháil faoi sin sula dtaistealóidh sibh - cuirigí ceist ar bhur ndochtúir teaghlaigh, ar Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (FSS) nó ar bhur ngníomhaire taistil.

Gheobhaidh sibh faisnéis ábhartha freisin ar Liosta Tíortha na hEagraíochta Domhanda Sláinte. Tá faisnéis ag láithreán gréasáin FSS faoi na cineálacha éagsúla vacsaíní, ar nós na vacsaíní le haghaidh calair nó eitinne - hse.ie.

Ní chlúdaítear vacsaínithe taistil leis an gcárta leighis. Beidh oraibh, mar sin de, an costas iomlán atá orthu a íoc.

Cuirigí tús leis an bpróiseas vacsaínithe tamall maith sula dtaistealóidh sibh. Tógann sé roinnt ama sula dtagann vacsaíní áirithe chun éifeachta. Bíodh siad agaibh 8 seachtaine sula dtaistealóidh sibh le go mbeidh cosaint iomlán agaibh.

Baineann tábhacht ar leith le tús luath sa chás go bhfuil sé beartaithe agaibh taisteal le leanaí. Ba cheart vacsaín BCG in aghaidh eitinne, mar shampla, a thabhairt 3 mhí ar a laghad sula dtaistealóidh bhur leanbh.

Éilíonn roinnt tíortha oraibh vacsaínithe áirithe a bheith agaibh agus beidh oraibh Deimhniú Idirnáisiúnta Vacsaínithe a thaispeáint d’fhonn cead isteach chuig na tíortha sin a fháil. Moltar vacsaínithe eile agus is féidir libh a chinneadh cé acu a gheobhaidh sibh iad nó nach bhfaighidh.

Má bhraitheann sibh tinn tar éis daoibh filleadh ar Éirinn, ba cheart daoibh dul chuig an dochtúir a luaithe is féidir. Tugaigí sonraí iomlána faoi na tíortha ar thug sibh cuairt orthu.

Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil ón Ionad Faisnéise do Shaoránaigh thíos.

Chuir Ionad Faisnéise do Shaoránaigh An Clocháin Liath ‘Bíodh Eolas agat ar do Chearta’ le chéile.  Cuireann an tIonad seo seirbhís shaor in aisce agus faoi rún ar fáil don phobal. Teil: 0761075430 Seoladh: Ionad Seirbhisí Pobal An Clocháin Liath

Tá faisnéis le fáil freisin ar líne ag citizensinformation.ie agus ón tSeirbhís Teileafóin um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh, 0761 07 4000.