Information Density: Citizens Information – Signal Evidence & AI Readability

[H2]
Health

Health system,
Medical cards and GP visit cards,
Health services,
GP and hospital services,
Dental, aural and optical health,
Children's health,
Health services for older people,
Health services for people with disabilities

[H2]
Social Welfare

Irish social welfare system,
Claiming a social welfare payment,
Social insurance (PRSI),
Social assistance payments,
Means test for social welfare payments,
Case studies, checklists and worksheets,
Disability and illness payments,
Carers' payments

[H2]
Employment

Types of employment,
Self-employment,
Starting work and changing job,
Training and looking for work,
Starting work,
Changing job,
Young people at work,
Employment rights and conditions

[H2]
Money and Tax

Tax,
Income tax,
Income tax credits and reliefs,
Tax credits and reliefs for people with disabilities,
Capital taxes,
Housing taxes and reliefs,
Duties and VAT,
Tax on savings and investments

[H2]
Moving Country

Irish citizenship,
Asylum seekers and refugees,
The asylum process in Ireland,
Services for asylum seekers in Ireland,
After you are granted international protection,
Visas and permission to enter Ireland,
Moving abroad,
Leaving Ireland

[H2]
Returning to Ireland

Planning your journey home,
Returning to Ireland in a crisis,
Residency and citizenship,
Finding somewhere to live,
Retiring to Ireland,
Applying for social welfare,
Looking after your health,
Coming home with children

[H2]
Housing

Renting a home,
Help with renting,
Tenants' rights and responsibilities,
Landlords' rights and responsibilities,
Resolving disputes,
Owning a home,
Buying a home,
Help with buying a home

[H2]
Education and Training

Irish education system,
Pre-school education and childcare,
Primary education,
Going to primary school,
Educational supports,
Attendance and discipline in schools,
Teachers and schools,
Post-primary education

[H2]
Travel and Recreation

Passports,
Travel abroad,
Air travel,
Travel to Ireland,
Motoring,
Buying or selling a vehicle,
Driving tests,
Driver licensing

[H2]
Environment

Waste and recycling,
Farming and managing land,
Pets, wildlife and biodiversity,
Environmental grants and schemes for your home,
Pollution,
Coasts and waterways,
Health and safety in your environment,
Environment and the law

[H2]
Consumer

How to complain,
Buying goods,
Buying services,
Buying digital content and services,
Products and services bought before November 2022,
Travel,
Financial products,
Utilities

[H2]
Government in Ireland

Irish Constitution,
How Government works in Ireland,
National government,
Local and regional government,
Standards and accountability,
Tribunals and investigations,
eGovernment,
Government records and statistics

[H2]
Death and Bereavement

Before a death,
Sudden or unexplained death,
Practical arrangements after a death,
Financial concerns following a death,
The deceased's estate,
Bereavement counselling and support

[H2]
Family and Relationships

Before your baby is born,
After your baby is born,
Miscarriage and stillbirth,
Adoption, fostering and surrogacy,
Children's rights and policy,
Services and supports for children,
Getting married,
Married couples

[H2]
Justice

Law and rights,
Civil law,
Neighbour disputes,
Criminal law,
Criminal trials,
Criminal offences,
Law enforcement,
Arrests

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Returning to Ireland

[H1] Returning to Ireland

Planning your journey home

Returning to Ireland in a crisis

Residency and citizenship

Finding somewhere to live

Retiring to Ireland

Applying for social welfare

Looking after your health

Coming home with children

Education and schooling

Starting work

Setting up a business

Organising your finances

Getting around in Ireland

Coming home from another country

Overview
Returning to Ireland
Whatever your reason for coming home and whatever stage of life you are at, we have the information you need to start a life in Ireland again.

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Resources
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My Situation

[H1] My Situation

I am...

I want to...

[H2] I am...

• Returning to Ireland
• A person with a disability or illness
• The parent of a child with a disability
• A carer
• An older or retired person
• Working part-time
• Being made redundant
• Unemployed
• Looking for employment or internship schemes
• Having difficulties paying my rent or mortgage - visit, mabs.ie
• Starting a business In debt
• Self-employed
• Leaving direct provision
• Recently bereaved
• Getting married

• Cohabiting
• Looking for information following the breakdown of a marriage or other relationship
• Becoming a parent
• Hoping to adopt or foster a child
• A lone parent
• A widow, widower or surviving civil partner
• Leaving prison
• Starting school
• Leaving school
• Going to college
• Coming to Ireland
• Retiring to Ireland
• Planning to emigrate within the EU/EEA
• Planning to emigrate outside the EU/EEA
• A tenant

[H2] I want to...

• Get help with the cost of living
• Apply for a driving licence
• Convert my driving licence to an Irish driving licence
• Find out about penalty points
• Buy a used car
• Buy a new car
• Pay my motor tax
• Apply for a passport
• Become an Irish citizen
• Register to vote
• Bring a pet to Ireland
• Apply for a social welfare payment
• Apply for a medical card
• Apply for a GP visit card
• Apply for a European Health Insurance Card
• Appeal a social welfare decision
• Find out about annual leave
• Find out about public holidays Find out about maternity leave
• Find out about childcare
• Claim a tax credit
• Find out about income tax
• Find out about the Universal Social Charge (USC)
• Find out about Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT)
• Apply for a housing grant
• Apply for local authority housing
• Find out about the Local Property Tax
• Get a Police Certificate
• Take a claim to the Small Claims Court
• Make a consumer complaint
• Get hospital treatment in another EU country
• Make a will
• Find out about domestic refuse services
• Get planning permission
• Comment on a planning permission application

Page edited:
29 May 2023

[H3] Related documents

Categories on citizensinformation.ie
A list of all the categories and sections on citizensinformation.ie.
354.80664

Categories on citizensinformation.ie
A list of all the categories and sections on citizensinformation.ie.
351.37988

Send feedback about citizensinformation.ie
Send us feedback about citizensinformation.ie. We do not provide information or advice via email at present.
200.18295

[H3] Contact Us
If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).
You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre.

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What's New

[H1]
What's New

[IMG: A woman is sitting on a couch with her head in her hand. Text reads:]

[H5] News

[H4] Domestic Violence Travel Supplement

19 May 2026

[IMG: A classroom with boks and notepads on the desks. Text reads]

[H5] News

[H4] Educational support during the summer holidays

14 May 2026

[IMG: Two farmers on a field with a tractor in the background. Text reads: Deadline to apply for BISS scheme]

[H5] News

[H4] Closing date for farmers to apply for BISS funding

12 May 2026

[IMG: Artist working with paint and crafts Text reads:]

[H5] News

[H4] Deadline to apply for the Basic Income for the Arts Scheme

7 May 2026

[IMG: An image of the interior of a bus. Text reads: Closing date for school transport applications]

[H5] News

[H4] Deadline to apply for school transport

5 May 2026

[IMG: A photo of trees in autumn, taken from the ground, looking up to the sky through the yellowing leaves. The sun is beaming through some branches on the right-hand side. Overlay text says,]

[H5] News

[H4] Practical advice when a loved one dies

30 April 2026

[IMG: A student uses a laptop in a library. Text on screen reads:]

[H5] News

[H4] CAO late applications deadline

28 April 2026

[IMG: Vacant shop. Text reads:]

[H5] News

[H4] New Vacant Above the Shop Grant

23 April 2026

[IMG: 3 wood cut outs of houses with text overlay: Increased limits for some local authority loans]

[H5] News

[H4] Income limits increase for some local authority loans

21 April 2026

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About
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Volunteer with Citizens Information

[H1] Volunteer with Citizens Information

Volunteer with Citizens Information

What is the Citizens Information Service?

If I volunteer with Citizens Information, what will I do?

Benefits of volunteering

What are CIS looking for from volunteers?

How do I apply to be a volunteer?

[H2] Volunteer with Citizens Information

Join the team of volunteers who support staff within the Citizens Information Service to provide information, advice and advocacy to the public. Citizens Information Services help thousands of people on a range of topics including social welfare, employment rights, housing and immigration.If you enjoy meeting people, would like to work as part of a team, and believe that you can explain services and entitlements to the public in simple language, then volunteering in your local CIS might be the right fit for you!

Watch this video to find out more about the experience of volunteering in the Citizens Information Service.

[H2] What is the Citizens Information Service?

Citizens Information Services (CISs) provide face-to-face services to the public. Through trained staff and volunteers, CISs provide free, impartial and confidential information, advice and advocacy services to the public.Each Citizens Information Service covers a geographical area and delivers the service through a network of Citizen Information Centres (CICs). There are eight individual regional Citizens Information Services which are companies limited by guarantee and are registered charities.They cover the following areas: North Dublin, Dublin South, North Connacht and Ulster, North Leinster, North Munster, South Connacht, South Leinster and South Munster facilitating both rural and urban areas.CISs provide information on various topics, including;Employment rightsIncome supportSocial welfareFamily mattersHealth servicesHousingEducationImmigrationData on the type of information and advice looked for, the range of queries and concerns raised by the public, and the top information categories and trends arising each year can be found on the Citizens Information Board's DataHub.If you think you would like to join CIS as a volunteer, please:Read this page and watch the information videosThink about the responsibilities involvedFind out what services are recruiting

[H2] If I volunteer with Citizens Information, what will I do?

Citizens Information have a fantastic range of rewarding volunteer roles, which can vary between local Citizens Information Centres. The main areas you can expect to volunteer in are:Providing information, advice and client supportAdministrative supportReception and customer serviceYou will be asked to commit to either a full day or two half days per week. Each CIS decides the minimum hours per week required. You will:Work as part of a team with staff and other volunteersAddress a wide range of inquiries from the publicParticipate in ongoing training in the main areas of services and entitlementsDevelop the expertise to find the right answers and share that informationTake part in regular quality reviews, where the manager sits in with you while you deliver information to the publicUse online systems and databases, so a certain level of computer literacy may be required
[H3] Volunteer Board Director
Each Citizens Information Service is managed by a Board of Directors, who are also volunteers. The overall function of the board is to provide oversight of the delivery of the Citizens Information Service in accordance with a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the funder, the Citizens Information Board (CIB).High standards of corporate governance in CIS voluntary boards are critical to ensuring a positive contribution to the delivery of information, advice and advocacy services.

Watch this video to find out more about the experience of volunteering as a board member in the Citizens Information Service.

[H2] Benefits of volunteering

In return for your time and dedication, you will:Contribute actively and give back to your communityUse your skills and knowledgeLearn new skills and knowledgeEngage in an activity that you will really enjoyMeet new peopleGain valuable training and experienceBecome an active citizenMake a positive difference

[H2] What are CIS looking for from volunteers?

EnthusiasticEager to learnGreat with peopleMotivatedCommittedFlexibleAvailableTeam playersCIS ask for a minimum of one year of service, which includes a probationary period.

[H2] How do I apply to be a volunteer?

Firstly, check what services are currently recruiting volunteers.Then simply complete the application form and submit it as outlined in the volunteer advertisement.If you need further details before making up your mind, you can contact the centre that is recruiting.The CIS may shortlist candidates for interviews based on the information contained in your application form. Applicants will be interviewed to assess their suitability for this type of work. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.CIS has a non-discriminatory recruitment policy. Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership in the Traveller community.

Page edited:
8 March 2024

[H3] Related documents

About Citizens Information
Citizensinformation.ie is an Irish eGovernment website developed by Citizens Information Board. The site provides information on the social and civil rights of everyone in Ireland.
1184.325

Problems with a service
Find out about your rights if you have a problem with a service.
607.07196

Problems with digital content or service
Find out about your rights if you have a problem with digital content or services.
514.7717

[H3] Contact Us
If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).
You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre.

You are here:

Home
>

Health

[H1] Health

Health system

Medical cards and GP visit cards

Health services

Drugs and medicines

Legal matters and health

EU healthcare

Food safety

Overview
Healthcare services in Ireland
Outlines the healthcare services available in Ireland. Covers GPs (family doctors), fees for accessing healthcare services, prescription medication, pharmacies, health centres, and in-patient and out-patient hospital services.