Know Your Rights D: Taxi complaints

January 2017

Question

I’m unhappy with a recent experience I had when hiring a taxi. Where can I make a complaint?

Answer

The National Transport Authority has overall responsibility for regulating taxis, hackneys and limousine drivers. It deals with complaints relating to the:

·         •  Condition, roadworthiness and cleanliness of the vehicle

·          •  Conduct, behaviour and identification of the driver

·         •  Fares charged by the driver

·         •  Hiring and booking of the vehicle

·         •  Identification and the general appearance of the vehicle

The Authority’s website, transportforireland.ie, provides information on the hiring of taxis, hackneys and limousines and about making a complaint. If you wish to make a complaint, you can make it online, download a complaint form or obtain a complaint form from the Authority’s information line at 0761 064000. You need to submit a copy of any receipt obtained for the journey with the completed complaint form.  Once the complaint has been investigated, the Authority will decide whether to take further action. If it decides to take further action it can:

·         •  Give advice to the driver or operator, or

·        •  Issue a formal warning or

·         •  Proceed with prosecution in court

•  When making a complaint you should be prepared to give evidence in court, if necessary.

You can find out more at https://www.transportforireland.ie/taxi/faqs/.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Boyle Citizens Information Centre which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 0761 07 6330

Address: Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

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

Consumer rights during sales

January 2017

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. Your rights do not change just because you bought the item in a sale.

Goods should be of merchantable quality, fit for their intended purpose and as described. If they are not, you are entitled to a repair, a replacement or a refund.

If there is a fault 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).

Shop notices such as "No Refunds" or "No Exchanges" do not limit your rights, if you have a complaint about faulty items.

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.

You should always keep your receipts as proof of purchase and the price paid. This does not necessarily have to be the shop receipt. You could show your credit or debit card statement if you used one or any other documentation that proves it was purchased.

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 Boyle Citizens Information Centre which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 0761 07 6330

Address: Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

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

How does the Housing Assistance Payment work?

Question

How does the Housing Assistance Payment work?

Answer

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people with a long-term housing need. It is administered by local authorities and will eventually replace long-term Rent Supplement. You must be on the local authority’s housing list (which means that you qualify for social housing support) to be eligible for HAP.

HAP is being introduced in phases. From March 2017 the final phase will bring it fully into operation in the last three local authority areas – all in Dublin.

Under the HAP scheme, you find your own private rented accommodation. Although the local authority administers HAP, you will not be a local authority tenant. The rental agreement will be between yourself and the landlord. This means that you will have certain rights and obligations, as will your landlord.

The rent must be within the HAP rent limits, which are based on your household size and the rental market in your area. Additional flexibility is provided where a household cannot find suitable accommodation within the HAP rent limits. The Homeless HAP Pilot in Dublin offers further flexibility for homeless people.  The local authority will pay your landlord directly and you will pay a differential rent to the local authority. This means that the amount of rent is based on your income and your ability to pay. If you are getting a social welfare payment at a post office, you must pay the local authority through the Household Budget Scheme.

If you take up a job or increase your working hours, you will still be eligible for HAP, provided that you meet the other conditions of the scheme.  People who are on the housing list and currently getting Rent Supplement will be transferred to HAP on a phased basis. If you are on the housing list, living in a HAP area and getting Rent Supplement, you can now apply for HAP. Detailed booklets and other information about HAP are available on housing.gov.ie.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Boyle Citizens Information Centre which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 0761 07 6330

Address: Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

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