Know your rights: Support bubbles 22nd October, 2020
What is a support bubble, and can I be part of one?
A support bubble is when an isolated person from one household has close contact with one other household. In a support bubble, also called a paired household, the 2 households can meet indoors, even though they do not live together. This is described as an extended household.
There are special rules about who can form a support bubble. You can only form a support bubble if you:
- Live alone
- Live alone with children under the age of 18
- Share parenting or custody arrangements
- Live with an adult you provide care for
- Live by yourself and have a carer or carers who support you, including a live-in carer
Remember that support bubbles can only include 2 households. This means that you cannot:
- Have close contact with anyone else outside your bubble
- Join a bubble if the other household is already in a bubble with someone else
- Be in multiple support bubbles
You can travel outside of your 5km radius to meet with your support bubble. However, you should try to form a bubble within your 5km radius, where possible.
If someone in your support bubble gets symptoms of COVID-19, they must self-isolate immediately and phone a GP for advice. You can find a GP in your area through the HSE website.
Read more about what to do if someone in your bubble gets COVID-19 on gov.ie.
During the COVID-19 pandemic you can contact your local Citizens Information Centre:
• Bray CIC on 0761 07 6780 Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
• Email Bray CIC at bray@citinfo.ie – anytime
From July, a limited number of appointments are being made in Bray Citizens Information Centre.
You can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:
- The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday,
9am – 8pm - Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer
Know your rights: UK driver licences and Brexit
I’m living in the Republic of Ireland and have a UK driver licence. I would like to convert it to an Irish licence before the end of the Brexit transition period. How do I do this?
When the UK formally left the European Union on 31 January 2020, both sides agreed on a transition period to finalise arrangements. This transition period ends on 31 December 2020. Your UK driver licence will continue to be recognised in Ireland until that date.
You must apply in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centre to convert your licence to an Irish licence. You must book your appointment online before visiting an NDLS centre. During COVID-19 Level 5 restrictions, NDLS centres remain open for people with booked appointments.
On the day, you should bring:
- A completed application form
- Photographic ID
- Proof of residency entitlement
- Evidence of PPS number
- Proof of address
The citizensinformation.ie website has a full list of documents accepted as proof of identity.
Your completed application form must be accompanied by:
- Your UK driver licence. If your driving licence is lost or expired, you need a letter of entitlement from the licensing authority in the state that issued your licence
- A fee of €55
In some cases, driving licence medical or eyesight report forms may be required
You can get information on medical and eyesight report forms on citizensinformation.ie.
It may take up to 3 months for your licence to be exchanged, as each foreign licence must be verified with the country that issued it.
The NDLS also has useful FAQs on Brexit and driving licences.
During the COVID-19 pandemic you can contact your local Citizens Information Centre:
• Bray CIC on 0761 07 6780 Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
• Email Bray CIC at bray@citinfo.ie – anytime
From July, a limited number of appointments are being made in Bray Citizens Information Centre.
You can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:
- The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call
0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday,
9am – 8pm - Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer
