Health Contribution Refunds - Clarification

The Department of Social Protection is currently receiving a very high level of enquiries in relation to requests for refunds of the Health Contribution.

The Department would therefore like to take this opportunity to clarify the position in relation to Health Contribution Refunds.

1. If you earned more than €26,000 in 2008, 2009 and 2010 you were liable to pay the Health Contribution and you are not due a refund.
2. If you earned less than €26,000 and never earned more than €500 in any one week you would not have been charged the Health Contribution and are not eligible for a refund. You may be entitled to a refund of the Health Contribution if you have earned less than €26,000 in 2008, 2009 or 2010 and earned more than €500 in any particular week in those years.
3. Your P60 Form will give you details of your earnings.
4. You must make an application for a refund within four years of 31 December of the year you paid the contribution.  For example you must apply for a refund of the Health Contributions paid in 2008 by 31 December 2012 and so on.
5. Any contributions paid prior to 1 January 2008 are outside the time limit for making a claim.
6. The Health Contribution was included in the Universal Social Charge (USC) with effect from 1 January 2011 and no Health Contribution refunds arise after that date.
7. The amount of refund you receive will vary depending on the amount of Health Contribution paid.   For example if you paid the Health Contribution for only one week in 2008 your refund could be €10.

If you satisfy the earnings conditions outlined at 2 above you should write to the address below and include your name, address, Personal Public Service Number and your date of birth.

Department of Social Protection,PRSI Refunds Section,Oisin House,Pearse Street,Dublin 2. For further information http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Topics/PRSI/Pages/refundhealthlevy.aspx

Government announces major change to Taxi Sector

- 46 Key Actions outlined in Government Report on Future of Taxi regulation

Public & Commuter Transport Minister, Alan Kelly, has today published the Government’s report into the future of the taxi sector.

The report contains over 40 key actions to address deficiencies in taxi regulation as part of a Programme for Government commitment to review the taxi sector.
“ This is the most radical examination of the taxi sector in Ireland ever,” stated Minister Kelly.
“The powers of the Gardai will be extended as a key action, with strengthened collaboration with the National Transport Authority for more effective on street enforcement. We will also be tightening up on the rental sector, removing criminal elements from the sector and creating a much more robust system of regulation.”

“The broad aim of this report is to increase consumer confidence in the sector and eliminate the rogue elements in the sector. We also want to ensure that legitimate and professional taxi operators and drivers can be rewarded fairly by operating under a regulatory regime that is adequately enforced. We want it to be a sector worth working in.  This report will allow us to achieve this and we have brought taxi regulation right back to the top of the transport agenda,” added Minister Kelly.


The report proposes actions under six categories: Compliance & Enforcement, Consumer and Industry Assurance, Driver Licensing, Vehicle Licensing & Standards, Accessible Services, and Fleet Management & Rental Controls


Some key actions under these categories are listed below:

Compliance & Enforcement: Significantly extend the powers of the Gardai to issue fixed-charge penalties and to work with the NTA for greater on-street enforcement with the NTA to focus more on off-street enforcement. 

• Introduce and commence Legislation to remove certain categories of criminals from the sector or have them apply to the courts to maintain their licence
• Introduce a system of penalty points specific to the SPSV sector. 
• Introduce the legislation to allow suspension of licences for specific breaches of regulations 
• Introduce a graduated system of fixed fines as opposed to a single €250 fine for all offences

Consumer & Industry Assurance: Facilitate a smartphone app to allow consumers check if their driver is licensed and operating within the regulations.

• Make the consumer complaints process fully accessible online
• Semi-Permanent branding on taxis for greater professionalism and accountability
• Drivers may have to re-sit knowledge tests if more than three valid complaints are made against them.

Driver Licensing

• Continuous social welfare & revenue compliance checks for drivers and vehicle owners
• Part-time drivers must declare their SPSV licence to main employer
• Transfer responsibility for driver licensing to National Transport Authority for a single point of contact for all licensing. (Gardaí will continue to maintain role for vetting).

Vehicle License & StandardsAge limit of vehicle of nine years for all new vehicles entering the fleet and for vehicles that have entered the fleet since 1 January 2009.  For existing vehicles in the fleet prior to 1 January 2009, those vehicles will be allowed to operate with an upper age limit of fourteen years subject to NCT testing every six months.

• New smaller roof-sign to be designed looking at electronic display of information and supply restricted to licensed companies. 
• Freeze the transfer of vehicle licences in 2012 so licences cannot be sold on the open market. 
• Vehicle licences will have to be registered to the owner of the vehicle.

Accessible ServicesTo create a single despatch contact for Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) linked to the NTA database for wheelchair taxi operators. 

• Develop a website and app for self-ordering of WAVs
• To reduce the specification of a wheelchair accessible vehicle to make more affordable for operators to invest in.

Fleet Management & Rental ControlsNo more renting of a vehicle license only. Anyone renting out their license must own the car the license is attached to, be responsible for the insurance/meter/roof-sign and be accountable for the operation of the licence. The NTA to be notified of all rentals at all times.

• Real Time linking of drivers’ licenses with vehicle licensing. 
• Increase part-time taxi rank space
• Introduce  low cost hackney licences for rural community groups or businesses with  limited area of operation

 In June of last year, Minister Kelly established a review group consisting of various stakeholders along with
As part of the report, Indecon consultants were also engaged to examine the current market situation regarding taxis. They identified a significant oversupply of taxis in the Irish market currently which they estimate to be in the region of 13-22% ahead of taxi demand.


Speaking at the formal publication of the report the Minister added:
“This is an action-orientated report and work on these measures will start immediately. The National Transport Authority will be key partners in driving these actions.  This is a key government priority that sets about significant and necessary change. It follows a commitment in the programme for government and we are living up to that commitment.
 “One new provision I’m keen to develop is the specific hackney for rural places. Transport is not just an urban issue and we need to adopt a different regulatory approach for many isolated places that currently have no taxi service. With rural Ireland suffering from social isolation we have to give people some form of transport options,”

Water Notice - Water Supply Disruption Notice - Water Distruption - Ashbourne, Ratoath, Dunshaughlin

Date Released: 01 February 2012

Water Supply Disruption Notice

Meath County Council wishes to notify residents in Ashbourne, Ratoath, Dunshaughlin and environs that the water supply has been disrupted due to a burst water main. Emergency crews are currently on site carrying out repairs.

Road works to install the East West Interconnector

Road works to install the East West Interconnector taking place in County Meath. The Interconnector cables will come ashore at Rush North Beach, Co. Dublin, and then continue underground to Woodland in Co. Meath.

EirGrid has liaised with Meath County Council to ensure traffic disruption is kept to a minimum.

Rath Roundabout (Marriott Hotel) from Thursday the 2nd of February on the L22091
Times: 7am to 7pm each day for 7 days

Single Lane traffic management towards the roundabout from the Slane direction and also within the roundabout including single lane traffic management towards the Ashbourne direction. 2)

A full road closure commences on Thursday the 2nd of February on the Rainstown lane (L22091) from the R147 (Old N3) to the L2209 just outside Batterstown.

Traffic management will be in place. Local access can be accommodated.

Project Hotline 1890 36 46 56

To receive text updates on works in the Meath area in general, text Meath to 51500.

Meath volunteers clock up over 20,000 hours of voluntary

Nearly 1,500 volunteers now engaged with Meath Volunteer
Centre

2011 was a great year for volunteering in Meath with over 474 volunteers
registering with Meath Volunteer Centre. Meath volunteers worked over
20,933 hours in 2011. Using the average industrial wage, this work equates to
a value of over €450,000.

Of the volunteers who signed up in 2011, the most popular areas of interest to
volunteer in were with Youth and Children groups, followed by Older People /
Active retired groups, and then Health and Disability groups.

The most popular reasons for wanting to volunteer were to give something
back to the community, although interestingly the second most popular reason
was to gain and improve skills – a partial reflection of the number of
unemployed people who see volunteering as a positive career move in
addition to contributing to their own and their communities wellbeing.

62% of the volunteers who signed up with the Volunteer Centre last year had
never volunteered before. Over 250 organsiations are now registered with
Meath Volunteer Centre. Last year 54 new organisations registered with the
centre.

Commenting on the success of 2011, Stephen Cousins, Meath Volunteer
Centre manager said: “2011 was the European Year of Volunteering so we
were delighted to help nearly 500 residents to start their volunteering
experience. It’s remarkable to see that the work of Meath volunteers in 2011
amounted to a value of nearly half a million, but really the difference
Volunteers make to our community is immeasurable.”

For those interested in volunteering, it’s easy to get involved. Visit our newly
revamped website at http://www.volunteermeath.ie/ or call us at 046-9280790. They’ll
sit down with you and help you find a volunteering opportunity near you.
Meath Volunteer Centre is a member of Volunteer Ireland. Volunteer Ireland
works to promote, facilitate and celebrate volunteering in Ireland.

Projects include exploring use of wireless networks to control building

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte T.D., and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D., have announced the approval of the first two projects as part of the government-supported International Energy Research Centre. Contracts valued at a total of €1million have been agreed between the International Energy Research Centre and four Higher Education Institutions.

The cutting-edge research projects will focus on energy efficiency and energy storage in commercial buildings, in particular, using wireless networks to control and manage heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and redesigning and developing storage heating solutions Jointly making the announcement, Minister Rabbitte said: “Our strategy is to position Ireland as a leading edge location for developing integrated energy solutions where knowledge-intensive international and Irish companies along with leading researchers partner will develop innovative energy solutions for global markets.

The projects announced today will complement existing world class energy research activities in Ireland including the internationally renowned smart grid and renewable energy integration research at the UCD Electricity Research

Centre working in partnership with global companies as well as EirGrid and ESB Networks.  Energy is of  fundamental strategic importance to the economy  and  it is essential that we continue to invest in research to
develop energy efficiency technologies  which will  underpin the Government’s  energy efficiency  objectives  and  support  economic growth in the clean technology sector.  These partnership projects are a case in
point”

Minister Bruton said “A key part of this Government’s plan to get out of this crisis and get jobs and growth back into the economy is to focus on sectors where as a country we have distinct advantages. The green economy clearly is one of these sectors, as not only do we have unrivalled natural resources in the area, but we have also built up a base of excellent research strength over the past decade. “The challenge for Ireland now is to ensure that the research is properly targeted at commercialisation and turning the research ideas into businesses and jobs. That is why this centre is led by top-end global and Irish companies operating in the energy field, and will enable them to collaborate with world-leading researchers and institutions in developing cutting-edge solutions. In the coming weeks the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs will target the green economy and will build on this good news with further changes to the Irish research sector to create more good ideas and ultimately good jobs”.

Speaking about the announcement David Parekh, Vice President, Research, and Director, United Technologies Research Centre said: “It is this type of commitment to developing world class capability in energy systems research in Ireland that led to the establishment of our European Research Hub in Cork in 2010. We look forward to continuing our work with Irish research organizations, the Government, and other industry partners to advance the state of technology for integrated energy systems through the IERC.”

John Mullaney, Energy Services Manager, HSG Zander added: ‘HSG Zander’s participation as an industry partner in the IERC is viewed as a means of advancing our strategic interest in the area of wireless sensor technologies and optimising the use of energy in buildings for our Clients. The collaborative nature of the research enables us to establish a link with future technological solutions as both end users and potential IP owners. We are very excited about the capability of the IERC to enable delivery of these goals’

Julie Byrne, Executive Director of Bell Labs Ireland, commented: "Wireless sensor networking research is a strategic focus for Bell Labs Ireland.  We are excited by the prospect of collaborative research with the IERC yielding innovations enabling smart energy management in buildings, through the use of such sensor networks."
Also speaking about the announcement, Michael Kelleher from Bord Gais Energy said: “Bord Gais is delighted to be taking a full and active part in the IERC. The solutions to many of our future energy requirements will be sought in the IERC and Bord Gais Energy is fully committed to shaping that future for the benefit of Irish energy users."

Kick start for entrepreneurs from Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD today (Thursday) announced the 15 successful Lifesciences, Cleantech and Industrial companies that have been awarded funding under Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund.  This is one of four rounds of the fund rolled out by Enterprise Ireland over the past 12 months.  The Competitive Start Fund provides young companies with the critical early stage funding to test the market for their products and services and progress their business plans for the global marketplace.

Minister Bruton also announced that four more rounds of the Competitive Start Fund are planned for 2012, the first of which is being launched today Thursday, with advertisements in national press.  The closing date for applicants is Thursday 9 February, and this call is open to start-ups from both ICT and Industrial sectors including sub-sectors such as Internet, Games, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Telecoms, Lifesciences, Cleantech and Industrial Products.

Making the announcement Minister Bruton said:  “If we are to get out of this crisis, we must work hard to create an indigenous engine of growth. While multinational investment in Ireland is and will remain crucial, it is vital that we find ways of enabling our indigenous firms to perform better and take full advantage of export opportunities. As I have said before, our industrial policy must not just be aimed at attracting the next Google or Microsoft to Ireland – we must strive to create the next Google or Microsoft here in Ireland, and in the coming weeks the government’s Action Plan for Jobs will implement a series of measures to deliver on our ambitious aims.

“Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund has clearly struck a cord with the innovative and ambitious entrepreneurial community. The continuing strong response and the quality of the applications submitted is proof that there are significant numbers of entrepreneurs with the necessary technical and commercial skills willing to take a risk and set up their own businesses. My priority is to ensure that they are fully supported to do what they do best, starting new businesses.  Access to early stage funding is critical, and this fund is part of the Government’s and Enterprise Ireland’s response to support them to get into business, expand, create jobs, and contribute to our recovery”.
Commenting on the announcement, John O’Dea, Enterprise Ireland Manager Industrial High Potential Start Ups, said: “We see this fund as a strategic investment in these young companies.  They represent some of Ireland’s newest and most exciting entrepreneurs and this fund gives a vital injection of funding and support when they most need it”.
About the Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund Under the terms of the Competitive Start Fund, start ups will receive an equity investment of up to €50,000 for a 10% ordinary equity stake.  In addition to funding, each start up will be provided with an experienced business mentor to support them. The application process has been designed and improved to be fast and efficient to allow the new start ups to concentrate on validating their business concept and getting to market entry stage as quickly as possible.  Visit www.enterprise-ireland.com/csf

Navan trolley figures improve by one third thanks to the SDU

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has said that the number of people waiting on trolleys in Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan has been reduced by almost a third (30%), thanks to initiatives undertaken by the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) over the winter months.

“I have been provided with a regional breakdown of figures, which show that between January 3rd and 25th this year there were a total of 109 people waiting on trolleys at Our Lady’s in Navan; that’s a drop of 30% compared to the figures for the same period in 2011.

“I realise that having 109 people waiting on trolleys over a three week period is still too many, but the key point here is that we are moving in the right direction. The SDU, which was established by Minister James Reilly last June, is producing tangible improvements in how hospitals provide care and manage the inflow of patients, particularly at peak times of year. It’s providing tailored guidance to hospitals on how to cope with, and reduce, overcrowding in emergency departments.

“The work of the SDU is being carried out in the context of a severely restricted Budgetary situation. But these figures show that radical reform can be delivered in a very challenging environment. These encouraging local figures have been replicated at a national level; the total number of people waiting on trolleys in hospitals across the country for the first 16 days of January 2012 was 27% lower than the same period last year.

“Further progress is being made when it comes to scheduled care. Ninety-five per cent of hospitals have met the target of ensuring no patient is waiting more than 12 months for elective surgery. This accounts for 41 hospitals; the figure for 2010 was just 28 hospitals.

“The success of the SDU to date will be further built on over the coming year, with more ambitious targets than before. It will aim to ensure that 95% of patients will be discharged or admitted within six hours of registration at an emergency department. We also want to ensure no one is waiting nine months for planned surgery and further targets will be set to improve access to outpatient and diagnostic services.

“I would like to commend the local hospital management and staff at Our Lady’s for their work in delivering such impressive results over the last year. With focussed determination we can ensure this momentum is maintained during the year ahead.”

Clinical leadership and local staff key to continued health reforms

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) said that clinical leadership and the commitment of local staff will be key to the continued deliverance of major health reforms over the coming year. Deputy Doherty was speaking following an update from the Department of Health on the progress to date made by the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).

“Huge progress has been made over the last year, thanks to the commitment and drive of local clinical managers, nursing staff and health professionals, who have shown an impressive desire to embrace change. If we take a look at our emergency departments; the total number of people waiting on trolleys in hospitals across the country for the first 16 days of January 2012 was 27% lower than the same period last year.

“When it comes to scheduled care, impressive results are being achieved. Ninety-five per cent of hospitals have met the target of ensuring no patient is waiting more than 12 months for elective surgery. This accounts for 41 hospitals; the figure for 2010 was just 28 hospitals.

“The Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which was established by Minister Reilly last June, is producing tangible improvements in how hospitals provide care and manage the inflow of patients, particularly at peak times of year. The SDU is providing tailored guidance to hospitals on how to cope with, and reduce, overcrowding in emergency departments.

“The success of the SDU to date will be further built on over the coming year, with more ambitious targets than before. It will aim to ensure that 95% of patients will be discharged or admitted within six hours of registration at an emergency department. We also want to ensure no one is waiting nine months for planned surgery and further targets will be set to improve access to outpatient and diagnostic services.

“Hospital management and frontline health staff must be commended for their tremendous work over the last year. What they have achieved shows reform can be realised even in an environment of severe cutbacks. 2012 will be a year of massive challenges for the health sector, but I believe significant further reforms can be achieved. This can’t work without the continued support of the public servants who are bringing about real change. They must be commended and supported in this difficult task.”

Oireachtas alcohol report provides blueprint for tackling our drink problem

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) said that the report on alcohol and drug misuse published by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, provides a blueprint on how we can tackle our national drink problem.

“As a society, we cannot continue to ignore our chronic drink problem and the effects alcohol abuse is having on our health, our economy and our national wellbeing. This report, which is the culmination of three months of work by the Committee, puts forward a series of recommendations on how we can tackle this problem head on.

“Reducing the consumption of alcohol can only be achieved by addressing pricing and availability. We are now in a situation in Ireland where cheap alcohol is widely available, with large retailers selling drink at below cost, displaying a total disregard for the impact this is having on society.

“Advertising is a key element in this situation; the Committee is recommending a ban on advertising of discounted alcoholic products, as well as the introduction of a watershed, so no alcohol advertising could be aired on TV before 9pm. The advertisement of alcohol on social networking sites should also be looked at, considering the popularity and influence of these sites among young people.

“On the issue of availability, the Committee has proposed that an outright ban should be considered, to prevent alcohol being sold in a wide range of outlets; this could include the sale of alcoholic products alongside groceries, confectionary and food.

“A number of other proposals have been put forward, including the ending of VAT refunds on below-cost sales, and banning the delivery of alcoholic products to consumers homes – a practice which has given underage teens easy access to drink. The prospect of introducing a minimum price for alcohol was also explored by the Committee.

“The statistics speak for themselves; alcohol is responsible for approximately 100 deaths per month, it accounts for 2,000 beds being occupied every night in hospitals around the country and 3 out of every 10 emergency department attendances. Furthermore, one in four deaths in young men is due to alcohol. We need to change our attitude to drink in this country. For too long we have happily accepted a reputation of being a heavy-drinking society. This needs to change.”