Foreign Citizens Advice Centre

21/02/2026

🚩 The government has expanded Local Authority Mortgages so more people can become homeowners.

Property price ceilings have been raised across the country to reflect current housing market conditions.

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03/02/2026

or anyone trying to get a foot on the ladder 👣🏡
Ushers Mill, Drogheda – Affordable Housing
Applications open 9 February 2026 at 10am ⏰

Do your homework, have your documents ready and don’t miss the window 💪

👉 If this could be for you or someone you know, save this post and share it forward 💛

🏡 Affordable Housing – Application Checklist

https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/housing/affordable-purchase-scheme/preparation%20to%20apply%20fore%20an%20affordable%20purchase%20scheme/

17/01/2026

📅Save The Date!

The 2026 Apprenticeship Expo takes place on Thursday 12th March in Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim from 9.30am-4pm.

Are you registered?
👉Register for FREE on www.apprenticeshipexpo.ie (Groups welcome)

Everything you need to know about apprenticeships – all under one roof.
Talk to employers and other apprentices’. Meet the educational and training experts.

Live Demos, Panel Discussions, Career Advice & real-life opportunities to Earn while you Learn. Think - Your Future – Your Apprenticeship!

📌Showcasing Apprenticeships in the following: Arboriculture, BioPharma, Construction, Electrical, Engineering, Finance, Hairdressing, Healthcare, Hospitality & Food, ICT, Insurance, Craft Butcher, Logistics, Motor, Property, Recruitment and Sales.

👉If you are a Meath based employer who currently offer apprenticeship positions or are currently recruiting for apprentices please contact us on 046 9046060 or email [email protected]

The Apprenticeship Expo is organised and managed by County Meath Chamber in collaboration with Meath County Council and supported by LMETB and Intreo.



Louth and Meath ETB Meath County Council RSTC Regional Skills & Training Centre Dundalk Apprenticeship Ireland Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort

06/01/2026

📢 English Class Reminder
Today, 6 January
🕖 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Looking forward to seeing everyone back after the break! ☕📚

23/09/2025

Affordable Homes in Ardee, Co. Louth! ✨

Applications for Quarry Court, John Street, Ardee open at 12:00 on 13th October 2025.

🏡 Don’t miss the chance to apply!
🔗 https://affordablehomes.ie/buy/quarrycourt/

Quarry Court is centrally situated within walking distance to Ardee town centre with multiple bars, restaurants, shops and amenities on your door step. John Street is also conveniently located just 7KM to the M1 Mortorway with easy access to Dublin/Belfast.

02/09/2025

📚 REMINDER: English Classes starting soon 😁

When: Tuesday, 9 September, 7:00–9:00pm

Where: The Haymarket, Unit 7, Dyer St, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 H317

✅ Please arrive 10 - 15 minutes early to register
✅ Continues every Tuesday after that
💶 €10 per month
🧑‍🎓 For those who plan to attend weekly (spaces are limited)

30/06/2025

💡 Thinking of applying for Jobseeker’s Benefit (Pay-Related)?
Read this before you decide 👇

Yes, Pay-Related Benefit can look attractive — it’s based on your past wages (up to 60%). But be careful if you have a partner or children because:

❌ It does not include increases for a dependent adult or children.
✅ The standard Jobseeker’s Benefit does!

Let’s break it down:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Example: Parent earning €500/week, with 2 kids (8 and 13)
👉 Pay-Related Benefit: €300/week
👉 Standard Benefit: €244 + €50 + €62 = €356/week
✅ Better option: Standard — that’s €56 more per week

👫 Example: Married (one parent working) with 2 kids, earned €870/week
👉 Pay-Related Benefit: €450/week (capped)
👉 Standard Benefit: €244 + €162 + €50 + €62 = €518/week
✅ Standard is €68 more per week

👤 Single, no kids, earned €750/week?
👉 Pay-Related (€450) is better than Standard (€244)

💬 Final tip:
Always compare both options. If in doubt, ask Intreo for a breakdown!!!

14/06/2025

💼💶 Back to Work Family Dividend – Money to Help You Transition Back to Work

If you’re a parent returning to work after being on a Jobseeker’s or One-Parent Family Payment, you could receive extra weekly payments for up to 2 years. This support is tax-free, not means tested for WFP and can be a real income boost while you’re settling into work. 🙌

📌 What Is It?
A weekly payment per child for up to 2 years:
👶 €50 per child under 12
🧒 €62 per child aged 12 and over
👨‍👩‍👧 Paid for up to 4 children max
💶 Full rate for the first year, half rate for the second year

📊 Example (Year 1):
1 child under 12 = €50/week = €2,600/year
2 children (1 under 12, 1 over 12) = €112/week = €5,824/year
4 children (all over 12) = €248/week = €12,896/year
(Year 2: All amounts are halved)

✅ Who Can Qualify?
• You were on Jobseeker’s or One-Parent Family Payment for at least 12 months
• Time on schemes like CE, TÚS, RSS or Back to Education Allowance counts toward that 12 months
• You’ve started work or self-employment
• You have at least one dependent child
• You’re no longer receiving the full welfare payment

📥 How to Apply:
1. Start work or become self-employed
2. Fill in the BTWFD1 form

💡 Why You Should Apply:
✅ Paid alongside Working Family Payment (WFP)
✅ Not counted in the means test for WFP
✅ Tax-free
✅ Helps you transition to employment smoothly
✅ Doesn’t affect your HAP or Rent Supplement straight away

👉 Don’t miss out – this can make a huge difference in your income while you get back on your feet!

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/back-to-work-family-dividend/

Back to Work Family Dividend is a payment to help people with children move from welfare into work. From January 2023 the full rate for a child will increase to €42 for under 12s, €50 for over 12s.

30/04/2025

Affordable Purchase Scheme – Drogheda, County Louth

Great news!
The Affordable Purchase Scheme for Drogheda, County Louth is opening on the 26th of May at 10 a.m.

To find out more about the scheme, click here:

https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/housing/affordable-purchase-scheme/

Please make sure you have everything prepared in advance so you can apply as soon as applications open.

An Affordable Purchase Scheme coming to Cois Farraige, Blackrock, Co. Louth

11/03/2025

How to Claim Your Pension from Other EU Countries 🤔

As you approach retirement, it’s important to know how to claim your pension if you’ve worked in other EU countries. Here’s a simple guide to help you:
1. Check the Age Limit: First find out the pension age in the country where you worked previously as it might differ from the one where you live now.
2. Apply from Your Current Country: The good news is, there’s no need to travel to those countries to claim your pension! You can apply directly from the country you currently reside in.
3. One Simple Form: Whether you’ve worked in one or several EU countries, all you need to do is fill out one form. Submit it to the main department responsible for pensions in your country and they will request your pension from the countries where you’ve worked before.

It’s that easy! No need for complicated trips or lengthy processes—the pension department will handle everything.

06/02/2025

Beyond CAO – Exploring Scholarships & Alternative Entry Routes to Higher Education

Date: Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 (Online) Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Are you a refugee or asylum seeker looking for pathways into higher education? This webinar will explore scholarships, Fees, DCU support alternative routes, and practical guidance to help you access university beyond the CAO process. Explore your route to higher education.
Prepare your questions to get answers in the webinar, like:
Fees and Costs
EU vs. Non-EU Fees: Asylum seekers may be considered non-EU students, meaning higher tuition fees. However, several universities and initiatives (like Universities of Sanctuary) offer reduced fees or scholarships.
Application Fee: A small fee is required to apply via the CAO:
Early application: €30.
Standard application: €45.
What to Expect:
Answers to your questions Universities of Sanctuary Scholarships for undergraduate & postgraduate students Step-by-step guidance on applying for scholarships & Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Advice on navigating university life, finding support and financial advice.

Guest Speakers:
Dr. Sarah Sartori, Higher Education Strategic Project Lead, South East Technological University (SETU) & Vice-Chair Universities of Sanctuary
Sean Harvey, Community Connector, DCU
Karina Curley, University of Sanctuary Coordinator, DCU
Please share this link with students, parent, sanctuary ambassadors, schools, educators, NGOs, direct provision centers.
Register Here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/beyond-cao-exploring-scholarships-entry-routes-to-higher-education-tickets-1227953825949?aff=oddtdtcreator
To find out more email [email protected]

Join us for Beyond CAO – a virtual event where we dive into scholarships and alternative pathways to higher education!