We highly recommend that priority customers and vulnerable customers register with their utility providers so they can be at the top of the list for help if, and when, blackouts occur or the gas or water is cut off. Customers should be aware that they will need to contact their utility suppliers to register as a vulnerable or priority customer.

What is it

It is a nationwide scheme that delivers free energy efficiency improvements to the homes of people who are in receipt of certain welfare payments.
SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) deliver free energy efficiency upgrades to homeowners who receive certain welfare payments.

PUP closed to new applicants

Dates have been confirmed and will take place this year from 20th September-2 October 2021.

National Traveller Pride: 20th-26th September
Local Traveller Pride: 27th September- 2 October

Provident has stopped giving out new loans from the 10th of May 2021. This means that there will be no new loans issued to existing customers.

The start of May 2021 saw increases in solid fuel prices following on from carbon taxes introduced in the 2021 budget. National Traveller MABS is concerned with the implications of these increases in particular for Traveller families experiencing energy poverty. Here we discuss some of the issues at play.

This week saw the Children’s Rights Alliance publish their Report Card 2021. It is the first analysis of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party’s joint Programme for Government: Our Shared Future and how it performed for children in 2020.

The Thaire Times and NTMABS Newsletter is now available for you to read.

Senator Eileen Flynn, today, 15th December 2020 launched our report, ‘Building the Box A review of policy, services, facilities and schemes with potential to improve financial inclusion from a Traveller perspective’. This report, authored by Dr Stuart Stamp, examines financial inclusion measures currently available in Ireland.

National Traveller MABS cordially invites to you the launch of our report Building the Box; A review of policy, services, facilities and schemes with potential to improve financial inclusion from a Traveller perspective.
By Senator Eileen Flynn, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Travelling Community.

Ireland moved to Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 for 6 weeks on midnight 21 October 2020. A ban on evictions is in place for this period. If your landlord has given you a valid notice to quit (also called an eviction notice), the notice is paused while Level 5 restrictions are in place, and also for a further 10 days after the restrictions are lifted.

A total of €1,128 million is allocated to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in 2021. Additional funding will be given to existing supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19 such as the Credit Guarantee Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund and the Online Retail Scheme.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth allocation is €1.9 billion in 2021. Additional funding of €61 million is allocated to Tusla to reduce the number of children awaiting the allocation of a social worker.

An additional €4 billion is provided for health services to continue the COVID-19 action plan and increase long-term capacity.

Budget 2021 was announced on Tuesday, 13 October 2020. This document sets out the main changes in taxation, social welfare, health, housing, education, employment and other areas. It is an overview of the measures announced in Budget 2021.

A total of €3.3 billion is allocated to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for housing in 2021.

 Financial abuse is when a person controls the money of another person without their permission. It can take place in any relationship, and is often a hidden form of abuse.The two most common forms of financial abuse happen either to vulnerable elderly people or in domestic relationships. In some cases the abuse can be unintentional. In other cases it is a wilful act of control. Financial abuse in a romantic relationship is domestic abuse.

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Social Welfare Payments have been changed to a single payment every two weeks. It can be diffi cult to manage the single payment. Making a spending plan can help you feel more in control.

Are you worried about your gambling, or the gambling of a loved one? See below for some support services that are available.

Disconnections

Gas and Electricity Suppliers have confirmed that no disconnections will occur until June 16th.