News
National Support and Development Worker Maternity Leave Cover Approx. Months
National Traveller MABS is the leading advocate for the financial inclusion of Travellers in Ireland. As a Traveller specific organisation, we advocate on behalf of the many Travellers in Ireland who cannot access affordable savings and credit and who rely on moneylenders. We work to change policy and practice which excludes Travellers from financial services. We also aim to increase financial capability within the Traveller Community.
Read more: National Support and Development Worker Maternity Leave Cover Approx. MonthsOur Newsletters 2022
Our Spring edition of the Thaire Times and NTMABS Newsletter is now available for you to read.
Our Newsletters
Our summer edition of the Thaire Times and NTMABS Newsletter is now available for you to read.
Information about Registering as a Vulnerable Customer
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.
Read more: Information about Registering as a Vulnerable CustomerThe Warmer Homes Scheme - Free Energy Upgrades for Eligible Homes
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.
Pandemic Unemployment Payment
PUP closed to new applicants
Read more: Pandemic Unemployment PaymentTraveller Pride Week 2021
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 Stops Lending In Ireland
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.
Read more: Provident Stops Lending In IrelandFuel Increases May 2021 - A just transition for families living on halting sites
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.
Read more: Fuel Increases May 2021 - A just transition for families living on halting sitesReport Card 2021
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.
Read more: Report Card 2021Our Newsletters
The Thaire Times and NTMABS Newsletter is now available for you to read.
Building the Box: A review of policy, services, facilities and schemes with potential to improve financial inclusion from a Traveller perspective
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.
Read more: Building the Box: A review of policy, services, facilities and schemes with potential to improve...SAVE THE DATE
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.
Evictions During Level 5
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.
Read more: Evictions During Level 5Employment and Business Budget 2021
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.
Read more: Employment and Business Budget 2021Education Budget 2021
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.
Read more: Education Budget 2021Health Budget 2021
An additional €4 billion is provided for health services to continue the COVID-19 action plan and increase long-term capacity.
Read more: Health Budget 2021Social Welfare Budget 2021
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.
Read more: Social Welfare Budget 2021Housing Budget 2021
A total of €3.3 billion is allocated to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for housing in 2021.
Read more: Housing Budget 2021What is Financial Abuse?
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.
Read more: What is Financial Abuse?Managing Your Money During COVID-19 (coronavirus)
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.
Read more: Managing Your Money During COVID-19 (coronavirus)Coronavirus (Covid 19) notice about: Gambling
Are you worried about your gambling, or the gambling of a loved one? See below for some support services that are available.
Read more: Coronavirus (Covid 19) notice about: GamblingUpdate for Energy Customers during COVID-19
Disconnections
Gas and Electricity Suppliers have confirmed that no disconnections will occur until June 16th.
Read more: Update for Energy Customers during COVID-19Fuel Allowance
The Government would be extending the Fuel Allowance season by four weeks - from Friday 10 April to Friday 8 May – in response to the COVID-19 emergency.
Read more: Fuel AllowanceCOVID- 19 Information for Energy Customers
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CRU has already taken a number of measures to protect domestic customers including:
- increasing the emergency credit for gas prepayment
meters from €10 to €100. - issuing a moratorium on disconnections of domestic
customers for non-payment. Read more: COVID- 19 Information for Energy Customers
COVID-19 Update : What We Know & What You Can Do
As you know, we are facing a global health crisis with Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Irish government has given the public advice and instructions for what is going on, and how you and your family can stay safe and healthy.
Read more: COVID-19 Update : What We Know & What You Can DoUpdate for Energy Customers during COVID-19
Disconnections
Gas and Electricity Suppliers have confirmed that no disconnections will occur until April 19th.
Read more: Update for Energy Customers during COVID-19Local Property Tax Notice
Notice for property owners who are due to pay Local Property Tax (LPT) on 21 March 2020. The date for payment of Local Property Tax has been changed to 21 May 2020. You do not need to contact Revenue if you are due to pay by Annual Debit Instruction or Direct Debit. The payment date will be changed automatically to 21 May 2020.
Read more: Local Property Tax NoticeFinancial advice for Travellers with a Family Member in Prison
The imprisonment of a family member can have a major impact on the rest of the family, not only in emotional terms but also financially. It can affect social welfare payments and housing supports and can result in extra costs in travelling to prison visits and supporting the family member while they are in prison.
Read more: Financial advice for Travellers with a Family Member in PrisonDo You Have a Family Member in Prison
National Traveller MABS is a leading advocate for the financial inclusion of Travellers in Ireland. We have produced a guide for families whose relative is in prison and for support organisations.
Read more: Do You Have a Family Member in Prison