Know Your Rights June 2026

Sing it, Joe…

atest press release from the Citizens Information Centre, issued on Friday, June 19th 2026…

But we’re only getting to it now because the weather was pretty dang great this weekend.

Martina and the gang would understand. It’s in their nature. And their contracts.

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance

My children start school in September. Are there supports to help with the cost of uniforms?
You may be able to get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA). This is an annual means-tested payment to help you with the cost of school clothing and footwear.

How do I qualify?
Your child must be aged between 2 and 17 on 30th September 2026. If they are aged 18 to 22, they must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school this autumn.

You must also meet the following conditions:

⦿ You’re getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or taking part in an approved employment, education or training scheme
⦿ You’re getting a Child Support Payment for each child you are claiming for
⦿ You and each child you’re claiming for live in Ireland
⦿ Your household income is within certain income limits

How much can I get?
In 2026, the BSCFA payment rates are:

⦿ €160 for each child aged 2 to 11
⦿ €285 for each child aged 12 and over

How do I apply?
The BSCFA is paid automatically to many families. If you’re paid automatically, you’ll be notified either through your MyWelfare account or by post. You’ll get your payment the week beginning 13 July 2026.

If you’re not notified by 9 June 2026, you apply online through MyWelfare.ie using your verified MyGovID account. You can also download a BSCFA application form (pdf) and apply by post. You can apply until 30 September 2026. You can find out more about the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance here, or or drop into or call Bray or Arklow Citizens Information Centre.

Package Holidays

What is a package holiday?
A package holiday is a holiday you buy at a total or inclusive price.

For the holiday to be treated as package, it must include an overnight stay or last at least 24 hours. It must also include at least 2 of the following travel services:

⦿ Transport – like flights, a cruise, or train or coach journeys
⦿ Accommodation
⦿ Other tourist services – like tours, excursions, guides, or tickets for concerts or theme parks
⦿ Car rental

What should I know before I book a package holiday?
Your rights depend on the type of holiday you book. Your travel organiser must tell you the type of holiday you’re booking before you book it, for example, whether it’s a package holiday or a linked travel arrangement (LTA). An LTA is when you buy 2 or more travel services from different companies under separate contracts, but which are linked. You have fewer rights when you book an LTA.

If I book a package holiday, what can I expect from the travel organiser?
If you book a package holiday, the travel organiser must give you clear information on different parts of the holiday. This includes details of what’s included, the total price, transport, accommodation, meals, and any other important information.

Your travel organiser is responsible for making sure the trip matches what you agreed to. They must fix any problems and offer you suitable alternatives if something goes wrong.

Can my travel organiser increase the price of my package holiday?
Yes, the travel organiser can increase the price of your package holiday, but only if your contract allows it. Check the terms and conditions in the contract before you book. If the price increases by more than 8%, you can cancel without paying a charge. Your travel organiser cannot change the price if the departure date is within 20 days.

Can I cancel the package holiday?
Yes, you can cancel at any time before you travel but you may have to pay a cancellation fee. You may be able to cancel for free if there are extraordinary circumstances (like a natural disaster) at or near your destination. Read more about your package holidays rights here, or or drop into or call Bray or Arklow Citizens Information Centre.

Applying For A Springboard+ Course

I’m recently unemployed. Are there free courses I can take to upskill so I can return to work?
With Springboard+, you can do a free higher education course if you are unemployed and looking to return to work.

What courses can I take?
You can do part-time courses from Certificate (Level 6) to Master’s degree (Level 9) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

There are also some full-time courses available. Courses include:

⦿ Information and communications technology (ICT)
⦿ Medical technologies
⦿ Cyber security
⦿ Artificial intelligence

How do I know if I’m eligible for free courses?
You can apply for a free Springboard+ course if you are unemployed, actively seeking work and available to take up work.

You must also be getting a qualifying social welfare payment or be on an unemployment support scheme. Examples include Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, and more.

You can also apply if you’re signing for social insurance credits, or if you’re aged under 66 and you’re a qualified adult on someone else’s social welfare payment.

Are Springboard+ courses only available to unemployed people?
You can apply for a Springboard+ course if you’re employed, but you must pay a 10% course contribution fee (except for Level 6 courses, which are free). You don’t have to pay the 10% fee if you get the Working Family Payment (WFP), or if you’re on a Community Employment Scheme.

You can also apply for a Springboard+ course if you are:

⦿ A recent graduate (but only for ICT skills conversion courses and you must pay 10% of course fee)
⦿ Returning to education or work after being a carer or homemaker
⦿ Updating your ICT skills

How do I apply for a course?
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are open. To apply, go to springboardcourses.ie, choose the course you’re interested in and follow the instructions to apply online.

If you are getting a social welfare payment, you should contact your Intreo Centre or local Social Welfare branch office to check what steps you need to take (if any). Read more about Springboard+ courses here, or or drop into or call Bray or Arklow Citizens Information Centre.

Fines For Littering

There is litter in a public area near me, who is responsible for cleaning it?
Litter is any kind of rubbish lying in a public place, for example, dog poo or unwanted furniture.

Local authorities are responsible for keeping public places in their area clear of litter. They do this by:

⦿ Street cleaning
⦿ Providing and emptying litter bins
⦿ Enforcing fines

However, if you own or are responsible for a place that is open to the public, you must keep it litter-free. For example, school grounds or public parks.

Am I responsible for cleaning outside my own property?
You must keep outdoor areas of your property that can be seen from a public place free from litter.

How much are littering fines?
Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence. If you are caught, you may be fined.

These fines include:

⦿ On-the-spot fines of €150
⦿ Up to €3,000 if you are convicted in the District Court
⦿ Up to €600 for every day you continue to litter after a conviction
⦿ Fines of up to €130,000 for causing environmental pollution, and up to €10,000 per day for continuing offences if you are convicted in the Circuit Court

What is changing?
From 1st September 2026, on-the-spot fines for littering and dog fouling will increase from €150 to €250. The Government is working on bringing these changes into law. You can find more information about these changes at Gov.ie.

Read more about littering and dumping and the new changes here, or or drop into or call Bray or Arklow Citizens Information Centre.

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 on 0818076780 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm) or on [email protected], and down in sunny Arklow on 0818076750 or [email protected].