Know Your Rights January 2026

Sing it, Joe…

atest press release from the Citizens Information Centre, issued on Friday, January 9th 2025…

HEAR Scheme

My child is from a disadvantaged background. Are there supports to help them access college?
Yes. Students from a disadvantaged background may qualify for the HEAR scheme, if they meet some other criteria.

With the HEAR scheme, students can get a place on their preferred college course, even if they don’t have enough CAO points.

For example, if your child is eligible for HEAR and they get 350 points in their Leaving Certificate, they may be offered a place on a course that is 360 points. This is called a ‘reduced points’ place. However, they must still meet the minimum entry requirements and any specific course entry requirements (for example, a certain grade in maths or Irish).

What are the additional criteria?

To qualify for HEAR, your child must:
⦿ Be under 23 on 1 January 2026
⦿ Meet certain rules in relation to their financial and social circumstances.

How can my child apply for HEAR?
Students must apply online for HEAR through the CAO portal. The deadline to apply is 5pm on 1 February 2026. Then, the deadline to submit supporting documents is 10 March 2026. Read the full eligibility criteria for the HEAR scheme, plus details of the supporting documents here, or drop into or call Bray or Arklow Citizens Information Centre below.

DARE scheme

My teenager has a disability and will soon finish secondary school. Are there supports to help them access college?
Yes. With the DARE scheme, students with a disability or a specific learning difficulty can get a place on their preferred college course, even if they don’t have enough CAO points.

For example, if they’re eligible for DARE and get 350 points in the Leaving Certificate, they may be offered a place on a course that is 360 points. This is called a ‘reduced points’ place. However, they must still meet the minimum entry requirements and any specific course entry requirements (for example, a certain grade in maths or Irish).

What are the eligibility criteria?

To qualify for DARE, your child must:
⦿ Be under 23 on 1 January 2026
⦿ Provide evidence of their disability
⦿ Provide a statement about how their disability has affected their education

Disabilities considered under DARE include:
⦿ Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
⦿ Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s Syndrome)
⦿ Blind or vision impaired
⦿ Deaf or hearing impaired
⦿ Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) – Dyspraxia
⦿ Dyscalculia or significant numeracy difficulties
⦿ Dyslexia or significant literacy difficulties
⦿ Mental health condition
⦿ Neurological condition (including brain injury and epilepsy)
⦿ Physical disability
⦿ Significant ongoing illness
⦿ Speech and language communication disorder

How can my child apply for DARE?
Your child must apply online for DARE through the CAO by 5pm, 1 February 2026. If they’re accepted as eligible for DARE, they’ll then compete with other eligible students for ‘reduced point places’, based on their Leaving Certificate results. Students can also apply to DARE with A-Levels from the UK, or other EU qualifications. Read more about the DARE scheme here, or drop into or call Bray or Arklow Citizens Information Centre below.

E-scooters

Who is allowed to use an e-scooter?
You must be at least 16 years old to use an e-scooter. Your e-scooter must meet technical requirements, including a maximum weight of 25 kilos (including batteries) or less and a maximum speed of 20 km per hour or less. Your e-scooter must be fitted with front and rear lights, reflectors, brakes and a bell. Only one person can ride an e-scooter at a time.

What are the rules for using e-scooters on Irish roads?
E-scooters can be used on local, regional, and national roads. They cannot be used on motorways. You can use the cycle and bus lanes. Gardaí can confiscate e-scooters ridden by people under 16.

You must also:
⦿ Drive on the left, including in cycle and bus lanes
⦿ Follow the rules of the road, especially when it comes to traffic lights, pedestrian
crossings, and zebra crossings
⦿ Follow the signals given by a Garda or school warden

You must not:
⦿ Carry goods or passengers
⦿ Have a seat on your e-scooter
⦿ Use an e-scooter on footpaths, pedestrianised areas or on motorways
⦿ Park an e-scooter in a designated no-parking zones, such as loading bays,
accessible parking areas, and charging bays
⦿ Use your mobile phone while driving an e-scooter

Are e-scooters banned on public transport?
Yes, e-scooters are not allowed on State-provided public transport, Luas, rail or bus services (due to concerns with lithium batteries).

Do I need to take a test and get a licence?
No, you do not need a licence to ride one, and your e-scooter does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.

Read more about e-scooters here, or call Bray or Arklow Citizens Information Centre below.

Minimum Wage Increase in 2026

How much is the minimum wage increasing by?
From 1 January 2026, the national minimum wage for people aged 20 and over increased by 65c to a minimum hourly rate of €14.15. There were also increases for people aged under 20.

The new rates are:
⦿ 19 years – €12.74 per hour
⦿ 18 years – €11.32 per hour
⦿ Under 18 – €9.91 per hour

What counts as pay?

For the purposes of the national minimum wage, your gross wage includes:
⦿ Basic salary
⦿ Shift premiums
⦿ Bonuses and commission
⦿ Service charges

If you get food or accommodation from your employer, known as board and lodging, that also counts towards your gross wage. Board and lodging rates, which are used in minimum wage calculations, also increased from 1 January 2026:
⦿ Board: €1.27 per hour worked (calculation at hourly rate)
⦿ Lodgings: €33.42 per week or €4.77 per day

What can I do if I don’t get the increase?
Your employer may try to cut your working hours to avoid an increase in the overall cost of your pay. However, they cannot do this without also reducing your duties or the amount of work. If you are not getting the minimum wage, you should speak with your employer first.

If you cannot resolve the problem with your employer, you can complete the online complaint form here.

Read more about the minimum wage here, or drop into or call Bray or Arklow Citizens Information Centre below.

You can find out more about all of the above, and more, right here, or get in touch your local Citizens Information Centre in Bray by calling 0818076780 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).