Previous Issues of Relate

Relate November/December 2020

This issue of Relate, 'Accessing public records, personal data and other information' covers how to obtain different types of information held by public and private organisations. It explains the legislation in place around Freedom of Information, data protection and information on the environment.

relate-2020-10.pdf

September/October 2020

This issue of Relate, ‘UK-EU relations after Brexit and implications for the island of Ireland’ covers the future relationship between the UK and the EU and the key issues facing Ireland (and the EU) as the end of the Transition Period approaches on 31 December 2020. It covers the Withdrawal Agreement, the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, the Common Travel Area and looks at the possible implications of the UK Internal Market Bill.

relate-2020-09.pdf

Relate July/August 2020

This issue of Relate, COVID-19 legislative update, is a summary of recent legislative changes as a further response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers face coverings in indoor settings, the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, rent arrears and emergency protections for tenants, redundancy and Enhanced Illness Benefit, the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) 2020 Act, the legal system and court proceedings, and other changes that facilitate social distancing.

relate-2020-08.pdf

Relate May/June 2020

This issue of Relate, Work and COVID-19, outlines the government guidelines and protocols for employers to reopen their businesses and resume work safely. It covers workplace restrictions and protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the health and well-being of employees. It also covers redundancy and workplace dispute resolution.

relate-2020-05.pdf

Relate April 2020

This special COVID-19 issue of Relate explains the main measures taken through emergency legislation and the supports that are now available for people and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Please note that information can change very quickly. The information in Relate was correct at the time of publication. Please visit the COVID-19 section of citizensinformation.ie for regular updates.

Relate April 2020

Relate January/February 2020

This issue of Relate gives an overview of legal developments in relation to children in Ireland. It covers a broad range of topics, from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, EU and Irish legislation to the areas of health, education, criminal law and the bodies responsible for protecting children’s rights. Included in this issue is an insert listing legal ages for various activities, called, What age can I…? (pdf)

Relate January/February 2020

Relate November/December 2019

This issue of Relate describes recent legislative developments affecting families and relationships. It explains the recent changes to legislation on divorce and judicial separation in Ireland arising from the Family Law Act 2019. It also describes parent's leave and benefit, the newest type of statutory leave available to new parents. Finally, it describes the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 in relation to donor-assisted human reproduction and how it intends to give greater certainty to parents, donors and donor-conceived children about their rights and responsibilities.

Relate November/December 2019.pdf .docx

Relate September/October 2019

The September/October issue of Relate covers water and water quality in Ireland including the Water Framework Directive, European and Irish legislation governing water quality and the bodies responsible for the provision and regulation of water services in Ireland. It also includes details of the new excess use domestic water charge (known as the Household Water Conservation Charge) and changes to commercial water charge rates.

Relate September/October 2019.pdf .docx

Relate July/August 2019

The July/August issue of Relate describes recent developments in residential tenancies legislation including changes to notice periods for termination of tenancies by landlords, changes to rent pressure zone designations and changes to the planning permission requirements for short-term lettings in rent pressure zones. It also describes the enhanced investigation, sanction and enforcement powers of the Residential Tenancies Board.

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May/June 2019

The May/June issue of Relate covers the EU and its institutions, including the history of the EU, the functions of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union and an outline of EU legislative procedures.

Relate May/June 2019.pdf .docx

March/April 2019

The March/April issue of Relate provides a legislation update on data protection, adoption and the Civil Registration Bill 2019.

Relate March/April 2019.pdf .docx

Relate January/February 2019

This issue of Relate describes occupational and personal pensions in Ireland, and upcoming changes to the sector set out in A Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023.

Relate January/February 2019.pdf .docx

Relate November 2018

The November issue of Relate describes Budget 2018 in the areas of social welfare, taxation, housing, employment and business, education, child and family support, health, environment, and other announcements.

Relate November 2018.pdf .docx

Relate October 2018

This issue of Relate describes current State pension provision in Ireland and outlines the main changes to the pension system set out in A Roadmap to Pensions Reform 2018-2023.

Relate October 2018.pdf .docx

Relate September 2018

This issue of Relate looks at some of the main EU consumer rights that people have when they are travelling abroad. It focuses on air passenger rights and on the protections for package travel and linked travel arrangements that came into effect on 1 July 2018.

Relate September 2018.pdf .docx

Relate August 2018

This issue of Relate provides an overview of the planning system in Ireland including planning legislation, national and regional planning policies and procedures for getting planning permission.

Relate August 2018.pdf .docx

Relate July 2018

This issue of Relate provides a legislation update on the Mediation Act 2017, Domestic Violence Act 2018, Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Relate July 2018.pdf .docx

Relate June 2018
This issue of Relate provides an update on employment law and describes some of the provisions contained in the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017.

Relate June 2018.pdf .docx

Relate May 2018
This issue of Relate describes the regulation of charities in Ireland.

Relate May 2018.pdf .docx

Relate April 2018
This issue of Relate describes the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the implementation of the UNCRPD in Ireland.

Relate April 2018.pdf .docx

Relate February/March 2018
This issue of Relate provides a housing update on government policies and strategies with particular focus on progress to date of Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which was published in July 2016.

Relate February/March 2018.pdf .docx

Relate January 2018
This issue of Relate looks at various legislation and issues regarding farming in Ireland including the leasing of agricultural land, collaborative farming such as partnerships and share farming, occupiers' liability legislation for landowners, and health and safety on the farm for workers.

Relate January 2018.pdf .docx

Relate December 2017
The December issue of Relate describes some of the problems that may affect people who live in urban areas. These include boundary disputes, doing work on party structures, trees, noise and control of animals.

Relate December 2017.pdf .docx

Relate November 2017
The November issue of Relate describes Budget 2018 in the areas of social welfare, taxation, housing, employment and business, education, child and family support, health, environment, and other announcements.

Relate November 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate October 2017
This issue of Relate describes the new provisions introduced by the Domestic Violence Bill 2017, and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016.

Relate October 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate September 2017
This issue of Relate describes some of the different childcare options now available in Ireland.

Relate September 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate August 2017
This issue of Relate covers data protection and in particular the new European-wide General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Relate August 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate July 2017
This issue of Relate describes the Mediation Bill 2017 and how it establishes mediation as an alternative option to civil proceedings, with the aim of reducing legal costs and speeding up the resolution of disputes.

Relate July 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate June 2017
This issue of Relate describes the Patents Office and the registration and regulation of intellectual property rights.

Relate June 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate May 2017
The May issue of Relate describes the work of the Citizens' Assembly and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Relate May 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate April 2017
The April issue of Relate describes some of the financial and business supports available to someone thinking of starting a business in Ireland.

Relate April 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate March 2017
This issue of Relate describes the International Protection Act 2015 which provides a new procedure for the processing of asylum applications in Ireland.

Relate March 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate February 2017
This issue of Relate describes the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004, your employment rights during pregnancy, and the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016.

Relate February 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate January 2017
This issue of Relate describes the new Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 and the changes it introduces to how solicitors and barristers are regulated in Ireland.

Relate January 2017.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate December 2016
The December issue of Relate provides an overview of Irish citizenship and Irish passports.

Relate December 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate November 2016
The November issue of Relate describes Budget 2017 in the areas of social welfare, housing, taxation, employment and business, childcare, education, health and environment.

Relate November 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate October 2016
The October issue of Relate describes Irish and European data protection legislation.

Relate October 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate September 2016
The September issue of Relate covers new legislation regarding Garda vetting and the establishment of the Garda Síochána National Vetting Bureau. It also describes the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016, changes to GSOC resulting from the Garda Síochána (Amendment) Act 2015, and the functions of new Policing Authority. This issue also describes the main provisions of the EU Victims’ Rights Directive which came into force in Ireland in November 2015.

Relate September 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate August 2016
This issue of Relate provides an overview of nullity, separation, divorce and dissolution in Ireland. It describes the requirements and procedures for the different ways couples can regulate matters between them following the breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership. It also includes information on other issues that should be considered during a separation, divorce or dissolution, for example, custody of and access to children, maintenance, ownership of the family or shared home and pension rights.

Relate August 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate July 2016
This issue of Relate provides an overview of what you need to know if you are planning on buying a house or apartment. It describes what to consider before buying a home such as how to find a property, get a mortgage and the role of your solicitor. It also covers the purchasing process, describing how to buy at auction or by private treaty, the contract for sale, title and co-ownership. Then, it looks at what you need to think about after the sale closes such as mortgage obligations, insurance, local property tax and wills and succession.

Relate July 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate June 2016
This issue of Relate provides an overview of legislation governing the relationship between residential landlords and tenants in Ireland. It describes the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 and recent reforms to this legislation brought about by the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015. It covers changes in relation to rent reviews, notice periods for termination of tenancy, the requirement of landlords to provide proof when terminating a tenancy and the role of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) in relation to approved housing bodies, the national tenancy register and dispute resolution.

Relate June 2016.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate May 2016
This issue of Relate provides an overview of the Companies Act 2014. It includes details of new company models and how an existing company should transition to these new models. It also covers directors’ duties, law enforcement, insolvency and ending a company under the new Act.

Relate May 2016.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate April 2016
This issue of Relate provides an overview of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The Act introduces new decision-making arrangements intended to assist and support people in making decisions about their welfare and property and affairs. It describes new arrangements for Wards of Court and Enduring Power of Attorney and the Act also provides a legislative basis for Advance Healthcare Directives in Ireland for the first time.

Relate April 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate March 2016
This issue of Relate provides an overview of the main schemes and payments for carers. It includes information on social welfare payments for carers, carers leave from employment, maintaining your PRSI record while caring and tax reliefs and credits for carers.

Relate March 2016.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate February 2016
This issue of Relate provides an overview of what you need to know if you are getting married. It includes information on engagements, pre-nuptial agreements, the legal prerequisites for marriage, notification requirements, the types of legal ceremony and registering the marriage.

Relate February 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate January 2016
This issue of Relate covers the fees and supports for third-level education including details of the grants system, grant rates and means-tests, tax reliefs and the Back to Education Allowance scheme.

Relate January 2016.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate December 2015
This issue provides an overview of things you may need to know after a bereavement, including arranging the funeral, accessing money, claiming social welfare payments and administering the deceased person’s estate.

Relate December 2015.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate November 2015
The November issue of Relate describes Budget 2016 in the areas of social welfare, taxation, housing, employment, childcare, education, health and justice.

Relate November 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate October 2015
The October issue of Relate describes the various housing grants, schemes and tax credits available to homeowners and landlords to adapt or improve their homes. It includes information on the eligibility criteria for housing grants, schemes and tax credits including details of qualifying work, priority applicants, means tests, tax information, grant amounts and how to qualify or claim credits.

Relate October 2015.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate September 2015
The September issue of Relate describes the requirements for driving a car in Ireland. It covers driving tests, learner permits, driving offences and penalties, vehicle standards including the National Car Test (NCT). It also describes motor tax, motor insurance and the disposal of end-of-life vehicles.

Relate September 2015.pdf .docx .ePub

Relate August 2015
The August issue of Relate describes the Regulation of Lobbying Act, which comes into effect on 1 September 2015. The Act means that people who carry on lobbying activities will be obliged to register with the Standards in Public Office Commission and provide information about their lobbying activities.

Relate August 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate July 2015
The July issue of Relate describes the new Consumer Rights Bill. It details current consumer rights and how they may change if this proposed legislation is enacted.

Relate July 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate June 2015
The June issue of Relate describes the Workplace Relations Act 2015 which provides for a range of changes to the bodies and procedures that deal with industrial disputes and breaches of employment legislation. It also contains information on proposed employment legislation including the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015 and the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015.

Relate June 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate May 2015
This issue covers the recent changes to legislation on adoption, guardianship and assisted human reproduction, changes resulting from the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, and some changes to the remit of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

Relate May 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate April 2015
The April issue of Relate describes some recent policy developments in the area of housing, including the publication of a new construction strategy and social housing strategy. Other topics covered in this publication include provisions for homeless people, proposals to change planning laws and new rules on how much people may borrow for a mortgage.

Relate April 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate March 2015
The March issue of Relate describes the changes contained in the revised Water Charges Plan published in March 2015, and the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. It also contains an update on personal insolvency, and describes the new Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Relate March 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate February 2015
The February issue of Relate describes the main social welfare payments for one-parent families, the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 and new arrangements put in place to deal with insolvent pension schemes.

Relate February 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate January 2015
The January issue of Relate describes the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 which aims to protect people who raise concerns about possible wrongdoing in the workplace, and the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Relate January 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

EU Supplement 2015
This supplement covers significant recent EU developments in the broad areas of social policy and citizens' rights.

EU Supplement August 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

EU Supplement May 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

EU Supplement February 2015.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate December 2014
The December issue of Relate describes the courts that operate in Ireland, what decisions they make and who makes them. It covers the new Court of Appeal in particular.

Relate December 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate November 2014
The November issue of Relate deals with Budget 2015 measures in the main areas of social welfare, supports for getting back to work, housing, health, education and taxation.

Relate November 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate October 2014
The October issue of Relate covers developments in legislation and services for children.

Relate October 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate September 2014
This issue describes water charges and gives a general description of the customer service standards of Irish Water.

Relate September 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate August 2014
This issue describes the regulation of charities in Ireland.

Relate August 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate July 2014
This issue describes the current situation for rented accommodation in Ireland and the proposed changes to residential tenancies legislation.

Relate July 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate June 2014
This issue of Relate provides an update on legislation in a number of areas including the payment of fines, advance healthcare directives and individual health identifiers.

Relate June 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate May 2014
This issue of Relate describes changes to local government and local government structures brought about by the Local Government Reform Act 2014.

Relate May 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate April 2014
Homelessness is difficult both to define and to measure. In this edition of Relate, we describe the scale of the problem, the policies being pursued and how they are being implemented.

Relate April 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate March 2014
This issue describes the rules that apply to the granting of medical cards and includes information on how income is assessed and how hardship is assessed. It also looks at how decisions are made and gives information on the numbers and costs of medical cards.

Relate March 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate February 2014
This issue of Relate looks at changes brought about by the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2013 and the Social Welfare and Pensions (No 2) Act 2013. Also, the income tax changes provided for by the Finance (No 2) Act 2013 are described. Further arrangements for the role of Irish Water as provided for by the Water Services Act 2013 are described. There is an overview of changes made to the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability and to the Mobility Aids Grant. Finally there is a brief legislation update.

Relate February 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

Relate January 2014
This issue of Relate looks at fees and supports for third-level education, including student fees, the student grant and the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).

Relate January 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

EU Supplement 2014
This supplement covers significant recent EU developments in the broad areas of social policy and citizens' rights.

EU Supplement October 2014.pdf .doc .ePub

EU Supplement July 2014.pdf .doc

EU Supplement April 2014.pdf .doc

EU Supplement was not published in January 2014.

Relate December 2013
This issue of Relate looks at the requirements for driving cars in Ireland, including the driver theory test, learner permits and the practical driving test. It covers driving offences and describes the penalties in place if the law is broken. It also deals with vehicle standards, motor tax, motor insurance and disposal of end-of-life vehicles.

Relate December 2013.pdf .doc

Relate November 2013
The November issue of Relate deals with Budget 2014 measures in the main areas of social welfare, health services, education and training, housing, small and medium enterprises, supports for investments in business and taxation.

Relate November 2013.pdf .doc

Relate October 2013
This issue of Relate looks at some of the changes to a number of different laws provided for by the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013. It also reviews some developments in housing, describes changes to nomination procedures for European Parliament elections and to the electoral register and looks at other recent legislation. Changes to the means test for civil legal aid are described. Other items include the Assisted Decision-making (Capacity) Bill 2013 and Child and Family Agency Bill 2013.

Relate October 2013.pdf .doc

Relate September 2013
This issue of Relate summarises the revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) which came into effect on 1 July 2013, and emphasises what has changed. It also looks at other developments relating to mortgages and the Central Bank scheme on debt resolution. Other items include repossession of mortgaged property, personal insolvency legislation, regulation of financial services and an outline of the Credit Reporting Bill 2012.

Relate September 2013.pdf .doc

Relate August 2013
This issue of Relate describes the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013. This Act makes a number of changes to social welfare and to the Pensions Acts. It also describes the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 and other recent legislation on child care and on reference pricing of prescribed drugs.

Relate August 2013.pdf .doc

Relate July 2013
This issue of Relate describes the new structures that are being put in place for job placement, training and further education and the main supports that are available to help unemployed people get employment or become self-employed.

Relate July 2013.pdf .doc

Relate June 2013
The June issue of Relate outlines the main elements of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 as they apply to debtors.

Relate June 2013.pdf .doc

Relate May 2013
The May issue of Relate outlines the changes introduced in the Finance Act 2013 and the changes to the rules governing the entitlement of people over the age of 70 to medical cards and GP Visit Cards. It also describes the extension of the remit of the Ombudsman to about 180 additional agencies.

Relate May 2013.pdf .doc

Relate April 2013
The April issue of Relate covers Local Property Tax.

Relate April 2013.pdf .doc

Relate March 2013
The March 2013 issue of Relate covers general updates arising out of a significant amount of legislation passed before Christmas 2012.

Relate March 2013.pdf .doc

Relate February 2013
The February issue of Relate outlines the changes to the original Personal Insolvency Bill, including new rules on the regulation of Personal Insolvency Practitioners (PIPs) and on the role of the courts. An overview of the rules for Rent Supplement is also given.

Relate February 2013.pdf .doc

Relate January 2013
The January issue of Relate deals with Budget 2013 measures in the main areas of social welfare, health, education and taxation.

Relate January 2013.pdf .doc

EU Supplement 2013
This supplement covers significant recent EU developments in the broad areas of social policy and citizens' rights.

EU Supplement October 2013.pdf .doc

EU Supplement July 2013.pdf .doc

EU Supplement April 2013.pdf .doc

EU Supplement January 2013.pdf .doc