Category Archives: Uncategorized

Amendments to Residential Tenancies Legislation

The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) has published new example notices of termination for landlords and tenants wishing to end a tenancy.

NEW AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATION EFFECTIVE FROM 1ST MARCH 2016

1.       Terminating a tenancy for non payment of rent.

  • Change:  The process for terminating a tenancy for non payment of rent has been reduced from 3 to 2 steps.  Step 1:  Notice must be served informing the tenant that an amount of rent is due and giving 14 days to pay those rent arrears.  Step 2:  If the tenant fails to pay the rent due within 14 days of receipt of the notice the landlord may serve a valid Notice of Termination giving 28 days notice.

2.       Cooling off Period for agreements.

  • Change:  Where an agreement is reached at mediation and adjudication, the cooling off period has been reduced from 21 days to 10 days.  This 10 days commences on the day the agreement is reached.

3.       Costs and Expenses awards to Parties in Dispute Resolution is limited to €1,000.  Legal or Professional Costs are limited to €5,000.

  • Change:  Where Dispute resolution is sought, a mediator, adjudicator or the Tribunal are limited to awarding maximum costs of €1,000.  The words ‘costs’ and ‘expenses’ here include costs and expenses relating to travelling and attendance at a hearing and those incurred in preparation of a case.  The awarding of such costs is discretionary and where sought, should be supported by documentary evidence.  For the avoidance of doubt, preparation costs do not include legal costs referred to in Section 5(3)(a) of the 2004 Act.
  • Change:  Where Dispute resolution is sought, a mediator, adjudicator or the Tribunal are limited to awarding maximum costs of €1,000.  The words ‘costs’ and ‘expenses’ here include costs and expenses relating to travelling and attendance at a hearing and those incurred in preparation of a case.  The awarding of such costs is discretionary and where sought, should be supported by documentary evidence.  For the avoidance of doubt, preparation costs do not include legal costs referred to in Section 5(3)(a) of the 2004 Act.

4.       Tribunal notice period.

  • Change: The Tribunal hearing notice period is currently 21 days.  However, this time period may be reduced by the Board where a party indicates that there is financial or other hardship.  The Board has discretion in this regard.

5.       Dispute Resolution CommitteeChanges.

  • The Dispute Resolution Committee (Tribunal panel) has increased to 45 member.  PRTB Board members, excluding the Chairperson of the PRTB, may no longer sit as members of the Dispute Resolution Committee.

6.        PRTB Board of Directors.

  • Changes: PRTB Board Membership has been reduced from a maximum of 15 to a maximum of 12.  The quorum for Board meetings has reduced from 5 to 4 members.

from: http://www.prtb.ie/search-results/news/article/2016/03/04/new-amendments-to-the-legislation-effective-from-1st-march-2016

CE Vacancy Available

Vacancy available with Kerry Travellers Health & Community Development Project through Friends of Able. Please contact KTHCDP on 0667120054 or Friends of Able 0667120455 for more information.

The position will be based in Tralee, Ardfert and North Kerry. The applicant must have a full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle. This is a development opportunity, no experience is necessary. Accredited training will be provided to support your career. Duties will be linking closely with day to day Community Development and Health Workers. Engaging in outreach work with members of the Traveller Community. Assist in planning, promoting and preparing for local community health & community development initiatives. Participating in relevant meetings, planning and preparing for these with colleagues. Applicants must supply suitable character references and be prepared to complete a Garda vetting application form.

Please contact your local Intreo office to check if you are eligible for the CE scheme.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/JobSearch_Results.aspx?keywords=Traveller%20link&JobType=&location=Job_Location-44&sector=&jobdate=&submit=Search

Job Vacancy

New Project Manager

Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project are delighted to welcome Brigid Quilligan to our team as Project Manager. Brigid started her new role on the 12th of Jan.

Brigid is a proud Traveller woman from Killarney who has worked in the community development field for 20 years. She is returning to Kerry having previously worked here from 2005-2008 as a Youth and Community Development Worker. From 2008– Jan 2016, she with the Irish Traveller Movement in the roles of Membership Development Worker, Assistant Director and most recently was the Director of the organisation for the last few years.

We are looking forward to working with Brigid, she is dedicated to Human Rights and her enthusiasm and commitment will undoubtably benefit the entire community in Kerry.

 

 

***Traveller Ethnicity***

The motion for recognising Traveller Ethnicity is to be voted on this evening in the Dail at 9pm. The designation of the Traveller community as an ethnic minority is supported by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination (CERD) and the recommendation of the Oireachtas sub committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.

Minceir Whiden Voter Information

Voter Education Pack by Minceir Whiden. Using your vote is very important. This pack has some information about registering to vote and why you should vote. You can find it here:

Click to access gettingdemocracytoworkminceirwhiden.pdf

Mincéirs Whiden is Ireland’s Traveller-only forum. Where Travellers can come together as a community to talk about the issues we face. To create ways we as a community can overcome our exclusion within Irish society. Minceirs Whiden aims to promote an understanding and the recognition of Travellers as a minority ethnic group in Irish Society who are proud and confident of their identity. Minceirs Whiden seeks the full participation and inclusion of Travellers in economic, social, political and cultural life of Ireland. Minceirs Whiden is inclusive of diversity within the community and promotes equality of opportunity through collective leadership.

Contact Details: Mincéirs Whiden c/o 4 Bruach Na Rinne, Quin Co Clare T: 085 880 4450

email: kathleen.sherlock@minceirswhiden.org                www.minceirswhiden.org