Crane on Ferry Pier UPDATE Janaury 2015

A number of enquiries have been received regarding the use of the crane on the ferry pier during the bad weather conditions of recent weeks, which has caused landing difficulties for small vessels at the ferry pier.
Information:
To date, 15 individuals have each paid a once off contribution of €100 towards the crane on pier and have use of it free of charge.
Anyone else wishing to make a contribution of €100 for the use of the crane is welcome to do so.
The cost per lift for those wishing to use the crane but who do not wish to pay the one-off fee will be €35.00. All payments received will be payable to Comharchumann Árainn Mhór & will be used to help offset the costs incurred by Comharchumann Arainnmhor. To arrange use of the crane, contact Comharchumann Árainn Mhór.
Sincere thanks to all who have either sponsored or given considerable assistance to ensure that this project has been completed: Philp Stac, Arranmore Fast Ferries, (all transport costs) Brian Cullen formerly of Donegal County Council, Roinn na Gaeltachta, BIM, Houston Groundworks, John Boyle Bán & Cathal Sweeney Smugglers Nite Club, Early's Bar (raffles) and each of the individuals who have made €100 contribution.

Buíochas mór don Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail & Tuaithe - €2307.70
BIM Flag €4983.00
BIM Flag €705.00
15 Local individuals €1500.00
Comharchumann Árainn Mhór €4360.00 + annual insurance.

Consumer rights during sales

Know Your Rights 

January 2015

Question
What are my consumer rights when I buy something in the sales? Can I return sales items?
Answer 
Your consumer rights during a sale are exactly the same as at any other time of the year.
Goods should be of merchantable quality, fit for their intended purpose and as described. If they are not, you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. The legislation does not specify whether it is the retailer or the customer who decides which form of redress is offered.
If you have a problem with goods that you bought at full price and are now on sale at a reduced price, you are entitled to a refund of the full price (if the shop is willing to offer a refund).
However, you are not entitled to a refund because you change your mind about something you have bought in a shop, whether this is during the sales or at any other time of the year. Many shops do allow you to exchange goods that you have had second thoughts about, but this is at their discretion. It is a good idea to check the shop's refund policy before buying anything.
If you buy goods at full price but change your mind about them, and they are now on sale at a lower price, you may only be offered the reduced amount (if the shop is willing to offer a refund). You should always keep your receipts as proof of purchase and the price paid.
For more information, visit the website of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission at consumerhelp.ie.
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.

Preparing for retirement January 2015

Question
I will be retiring from work in 2015 when I reach 65. What do I need to know about pensions and other benefits in retirement?
Answer
When you retire at age 65 you can claim Jobseeker’s Benefit, which is based on your Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. If you do not qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit you can claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, which is a means-tested payment.
At age 66, you may be entitled to the State Pension (Contributory). If you do not have enough PRSI contributions, you can apply for a State Pension (Non-Contributory), which is means-tested. You should apply for State pensions at least three months in advance.
You may have contributed to an occupational pension scheme during your working life or you may have a personal pension arrangement. You need to contact the pension provider to find out exactly what benefits your pension gives you. 
If you move from employment to retirement in the course of the year, you should get a PAYE Balancing Statement (P21) from your local tax office at the end of the year. This will trigger a refund of any overpayment of tax you might have made.
Your Jobseeker’s Benefit or State pension and any occupational pension are taxable. However, the tax exemption limits are much higher for people aged 65 or over and there are some extra tax credits.
At age 66 you will be exempt from paying PRSI. At age 70 you will pay a reduced Universal Social Charge if your annual income is €60,000 or less.
At age 66 you will also be eligible for a Free Travel Pass and may be eligible for the Household Benefits Package, which consists of a free TV licence and an electricity or gas allowance. 
For medical cards and GP Visit Cards, which are means tested, the income limits are higher for people aged 70 and over.
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. 

Income tax bands and rates January 2015

Know Your Rights: Income tax bands and rates

January 2015

Question
What are the income tax bands and tax rates for 2015?
Answer 
The income tax bands and tax rates for 2015 were announced in Budget 2015. 
Nearly all income is liable to tax. The amount of tax that you have to pay depends on your personal circumstances. There is a range of income tax reliefs available that can reduce the amount of tax that you have to pay.
Tax is charged as a percentage of your income. The percentage that you pay depends on the amount of your income. 
The first part of your income, up to a certain amount, is taxed at what is known as the standard rate of tax. The amount that it applies to is known as the standard-rate tax band. The remainder of your income is taxed at a higher rate of tax.
For 2015 the standard rate of tax remains at 20% but the standard-rate tax bands have been increased as follows:
2014 2015
Single person €32,800 €33,800
Married couple/civil
partners, one income €41,800 €42,800
Married couple/civil
partners, two incomes €41,800 (1st income) €23,800 (2nd income) €42,800 (1st income) €24,800 (2nd income)
One parent family €36,800 €37,800
The higher rate of tax that applies to the balance of your income has been reduced from 41% in 2014 to 40% for 2015. 
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.

Know Your Rights : Pay over Christmas and the New Year December 2014

Question

I work part-time from Monday to Wednesday. This year Christmas falls on a Thursday. Will I get paid for Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day, even though I don’t work on those days? What about New Year’s Day which falls on the following Thursday?

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 either 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 still entitled to be paid or to paid time off for the public holiday. Part-time workers get one-fifth of their normal pay for the week as compensation for the holiday.
If you are required 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.
In your case you should receive one-fifth of your normal weekly pay for each of the three public holidays, Christmas Day, St Stephen’s 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.
You can get detailed information on employment rights on the website workplacerelations.ie.
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, Dungloe.
Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

Know Your Rights: Solutions for problem debt November 2014

Question

We borrowed a lot to pay for our children’s college fees and weddings, when we both had good incomes. We now earn less than before and find it very hard to cover our debts. We’re afraid to open letters or answer the phone in case it’s another demand for payment. Is there any help for people like us?
Answer
You are clearly in financial difficulty and struggling with your debts. There are many people in a similar situation.
Three debt solutions have been set up to help people with serious debt problems to sort out their situation and get protection from their creditors. They are the Debt Relief Notice (DRN), Debt Settlement Arrangement (DSA) and Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA).
The appropriate solution for you depends on the size of your debts and whether or not you have a mortgage. You apply through an Approved Intermediary for a DRN and through a Personal Insolvency Practitioner for a DSA or PIA. These qualified insolvency professionals are supervised by the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI).
When the solution has been put in place, your creditors cannot contact you while you stick to the agreed arrangements. Depending on your situation, some or all of your debt can be written off.
Many Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) companies have been authorised as Approved Intermediaries to help people on low incomes, with debts under €20,000, through the Debt Relief Notice (DRN) process.
For a DSA or PIA, which generally cover larger debts, your creditors must agree to the solution proposed by your Personal Insolvency Practitioner. If they don’t agree, you then have the option of bankruptcy.
You can get further information from MABS on 0761 07 2000 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm), from mabs.ie, from the ISI’s helpline 0761 06 4200 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm) and from isi.gov.ie. The ISI also has a new website backontrack.ie for people who are struggling with debt.
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 Citizens Information Centre, Gweedore Road, Dungloe.
Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.