Know Your Rights - February 2013

 Know your rights February 2013

Question 1 - Driving licence

What are the new driving licence fees?

Answer

From 1 January 2013, the cost of driving licences is as follows:

• Ten-year      driving licence costs €55
• Three-year      driving licence costs €35
• One-year driving      licence costs €25
• Learner      permit costs €35

Motorists over the age of 70 can get their driving licence renewed for free.

Exchanging a driving licence, for example, to add a new category, costs €35 from 12 January 2013.

The driving licence or learner permit now takes the form of a card similar to a credit card.

You can get an application form for a driving licence from your local motor tax office or you can download it from rsa.ie. 

Further information is available on the Road Safety Authority's website, rsa.ie

 

Question 2 - Redundancy payments

I have been working for a company for four years and I am facing the prospect of redundancy in 2013. How do I calculate what I might be entitled to if this happens?

 Answer

The Redundancy Payments Scheme provides for the compensation of workers for the loss of their jobs by reason of redundancy. It is the responsibility of the employer to pay a statutory redundancy payment to all eligible employees. This is a minimum entitlement and in some cases employers may pay more. An employer who pays statutory redundancy payments to employees is no longer entitled to a rebate from the State when the date of dismissal is on or after 1 January 2013.

To qualify for a statutory redundancy payment, you must have at least two years’ continuous service; be in employment which is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts; be over the age of 16; and have been made redundant as a result of a genuine redundancy situation, meaning that the job no longer exists and you are not replaced.

If eligible under the Redundancy Payments Acts, you are entitled to two weeks’ statutory redundancy payment for every year of service, plus an extra week.

Your redundancy payment is paid in a lump sum and is based on your weekly paysubject to a ceiling of €600 per week. Pay refers to your current normal weekly pay including average regular overtime and benefits-in-kind, but before tax and PRSI deductions - your gross pay. The statutory redundancy payment is tax-free.

There is an online redundancy calculator to help you work out the payment at welfare.ie.

 

Question 3 - Medical Card means test

I think I may be eligible for a medical card. I have some savings - will the HSE take this into account in assessing my application?

Answer

When assessing your savings, the HSE disregards the first €36,000 of savings and property for a single person and €72,000 in the case of a couple. Your family home is not taken into account. If you have savings or investments above this amount they are assessed either by taking into account the actual rate of interest received or the HSE will apply a ‘notional rate of return’ to your savings.

If you wish to have the actual rate of interest used you must provide a certificate of the interest paid on in the last full calendar year –from the institution(s) in which the savings are held.

The HSE will use whichever measure is best for you.

Notional assessment of interest

     

Capital	Weekly means assessed
First €36,000 (single), €72,000 (couple)	Nil
Next €10,000	€1 per €1,000
Next €10,000	€2 per €1,000
Balance	€4 per €1,000

The assessment makes provision for fixed-term savings where the interest is only applied at the end of a fixed period. If you choose, interest will only be taken into account on the date the investment matures. If you wish, the HSE can apply the notional rate instead.

 

Question 3 - Consumer rights

I bought a clock in the sales, but it has turned out to be faulty. What should I do about this?

Answer

When you buy goods, you enter into a contract with the seller. As a general rule, the seller can either repair or replace the item. Alternatively, they can refund the cost of the item. You may also have extra protection if you have a guarantee or warranty from the manufacturer.

You should return the faulty item to the seller as soon as possible and explain the problem. Some shops display “No Refunds/No Exchanges” notices, particularly during the sales, but this does not take away your rights if the goods are faulty.

It is important to remember that if you caused the fault, the seller is under no obligation to offer you any type of compensation.

The shop is entitled to request proof of purchase, but this doesn't necessarily have to be the shop receipt.

If you are not satisfied with the seller’s response, you may be able to take a claim to the Small Claims Court.

Further information is available from the National Consumer Agency, nca.ie

 

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

 

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