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From 12 September 2023, if you are a Bolivian citizen you need a visa before travelling to Ireland. If you are travelling through Ireland on your way to another country, you need a transit visa before arriving in Ireland. 

The PLC Bursary for Displaced Persons (Ukraine) Scheme 2023-2024 is open for applications to people who have been granted temporary protection. You can apply for the scheme if you are starting year one of an approved Post-Leaving Certificate course or are progressing into the second year of an approved 2-year course. 

You can now go online to book appointments to attend some District Court and Circuit Court offices, and to attend the Central Office of the High Court. This service is available on the Courts Service website and is for non-urgent matters only.  

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On 11 September 2023, the weekly income limit for the GP visit card increased for people aged under 70. This income threshold will increase again on 13 November 2023. You can apply online for the GP visit card.

Fuel Allowance season starts on 25 September 2023. It will be paid for 28 weeks, until 5 April 2024. The current rate of payment is €33 per week, or you can choose to get it paid in 2 lump sum instalments. 

Since 31 August 2023, the following 4 areas are Rent Pressure Zones: 

  • Ennis Local Electoral Area, Co Clare 
  • Kilkenny County Council 
  • Limerick City and County Council 
  • Waterford City and County Council

Since 4 September 2023, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board has a new application form (pdf) to make a claim.

From 1 January 2024, changes to the State Pension (Contributory) will be introduced, including changes to the age you can claim, changes for long-term carers of over 20 years, and changes to how pensions are calculated. Legislation setting out these changes is not yet published.

The Defective Concrete Products Levy applies since 1 September 2023. It is a 5% levy on concrete blocks, pouring concrete and other concrete products. It is paid by the person or company who first supplies or sells the concrete product.

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New child protection procedures in schools are effective from 1 September 2023. Information given to a school board must not disclose the identity of the child or the person that the allegations are being made against.

The free contraception scheme now includes women aged 17 to 30 (previously only available up to age 26).

The Electoral Commission has published its review of Ireland’s electoral constituencies. It recommends increases to constituencies and TDs with 174 TDs representing 43 Dáil constituencies, up from the current 160 TDs in 39 constituencies. If accepted, the changes will come into effect before the next general election.

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If you sat the Leaving Certificate in 2023, you can now review and download your results online. If you have questions about accessing the Leaving Certificate results portal you can phone or email staff at the State Examinations Commission until 4 September 2023.

You can speak to a guidance counsellor on the National Parents Council Leaving Certificate helpline until 2 September 2023. Find contact details and opening times on our page about the Leaving Certificate.

You must apply to review your Leaving Certificate scripts before you can view them. Find out how and when to apply, view your exam scripts and appeal your Leaving Certificate results.

Round One of CAO offers will be made from 2pm on Wednesday, 30 August 2023 and will close on 5 September 2023. Further CAO offers will continue until the end of October 2023. You can read more about college applications and entry requirements.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has released a new form (pdf) for appealing social welfare decisions.

From 1 September 2023, there will be a waste recovery levy of €10 per tonne (or 1,000kg). The existing “landfill levy” will also increase by €10 to €85 per tonne.

The HPV vaccine catch-up program will extend from 29 August 2023. Until 31 December 2023, you will be able to register for the HPV vaccine if you are male and aged under 22. If you are female, aged under 25 and were eligible to get the free HPV vaccine in secondary school but you did not get it, you can book an appointment now.

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If you are a student coming to Ireland from Ukraine, the supports to access higher education will be extended for the academic year 2023-2024. This includes tuition fees and the Erasmus grant. Full details will be provided on gov.ie/ukraine.

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If you are thinking about setting up a new business in Ireland, you can find useful information in the self-employment section of citizensinformation.ie, including:

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Since 11 August 2023, children aged 6 and 7 qualify for the GP visit card. The card was previously only available for children under 6. You can register online for a GP visit card. If your child turned 6 after 1 July 2023 and they already had a card, this will be extended automatically by the HSE.

The Post Leaving Cert bursary for people granted temporary protection is no longer available. If you came to Ireland from Ukraine, started a Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course in 2022-2023, and are completing the 2 year course in 2023-2024, you should email plcbursary@susi.ie.

The Minister for Justice can now make a deportation order without allowing an option to leave voluntarily in certain circumstances.  For example, if you have been convicted of a serious crime or are considered a threat to national security.

If you are coming to Ireland from New Zealand and are aged 18 to 30, you can apply for the Working Holiday Authorisation. The Authorisation is valid for 12 months after you enter Ireland.

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Since 31 July 2023, some criteria have changed for applying for citizenship by naturalisation: 

  • You can now apply for your child after they have completed 3 years of residence in Ireland 
  • You can now leave Ireland for up to 70 days (in total) per year and still be considered resident in that year 
  • An additional period of up to 30 days may be allowed if you left Ireland due to exceptional circumstances, for example, health reasons, family circumstances, employment or study 
  • If you are applying for your child who is over 14, they must demonstrate ‘good character’

Read more about your entitlement to Irish citizenship. 

If you successfully applied for the International Protection Student Scheme in 2022 and are still an International Protection applicant, SUSI will email you a renewal form. You should apply before 30 November 2023.  If you got your status during the last year, you no longer qualify for the International Protection Student Scheme, but you may qualify for the Student Grant Scheme. 

Since, 1 July 2023, if you are living on a qualifying off-shore island, you can get up to €84,000 to renovate a derelict building or up to €60,000 for a vacant property under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.  

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The school transport scheme for primary and post-primary schools will start on 28 August 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Since 7 July 2023, you can apply for one of 23 Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses that will guarantee you entry to a third-level degree programme. The new programme allows you to start your degree at an Education Training Board and complete it in a university. 

From September 2023, you can get one full cycle of assisted human reproduction treatment from a HSE-approved private clinic of your choice. 

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From 1 August 2023, the net household income limit to qualify for cost rental housing will increase from €53,000 per year to €66,000 if you are in Dublin and €59,000 for everywhere else in Ireland.

If your landlord is selling the property and you want to buy it, you may qualify for the Tenant Home Purchase Scheme. This is an extension of the First Home Scheme but for second-hand homes.

The Housing Adaptation Grant for people with a disability now covers fixed track hoists to help make your home more accessible. Other equipment covered by the grant includes ramps, stair lifts, grab rails, extensions and accessible bathroom facilities.

Since 18 July 2023, the maximum amount covered by the Repair and Leasing Scheme increased to €80,000 per house or apartment, including VAT. The scheme aims to bring vacant properties that need repair back into use for social housing.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 was signed on 11 July 2023, but the scheme is not yet open for applications. The Government must sign a number of commencement orders before the Act comes into effect.

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If you have a refugee travel document issued by a country outside Ireland, you must apply for a visa to enter Ireland. Visa-free travel for travel document holders is suspended until further notice. If you are a Ukrainian citizen you do not need a visa to travel to Ireland.   

Businesses and other non-domestic community organisations can get a Solar PV Grant between €2,700 to €162,600 to support their switch to solar power. Applications will open soon.

From 7 July 2023, you can apply for post-leaving cert courses that will guarantee you entry to a third-level degree programme. 

If you get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) automatically, you will have received it on the week starting 10 July 2023. If you do not get an automatic payment, you can apply for the payment on MyWelfare until 30 September 2023. 

The Courts Act 2023 has been commenced. Under the Act, 44 additional judges will be appointed by the end of 2024. This will increase the number of judges available in the District Court, Circuit Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.

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