MARINEWATCH CHIEF FRANK IS FLYING HIGH
RESCUE 117 CREW HONOUR LONGTIME CAMPAIGNER FRANK FOR ALL HIS SUPPORT
Wexford Marinewatch founder and chairman Frank Flanagan got a big surprise this week during a routine visit to the Irish Coast Guard’s Rescue 117 helicopter Base in Waterford, when he received a special presentation from the crew for his support and dedication in saving lives over the years.
Frank, an angler who has been a huge campaigner for safety at sea for many years, was the driving force behind a campaign in 2010 when the government attempted to cut the Search & Rescue helicopter to a ‘daylight only’ service. His efforts and dedication ensured that the South East maintained its 24 hour helicopter rescue service - and many lives were saved as a result. Since this campaign, Frank maintained close contact with the crew and also assisted them with their social media exposure over the years - ensuring the public were kept up to date with latest developments and rescues off the South East coast, reaching an online followership of over 25,000 people.
In 2012, Frank felt further lives could be saved and something needed to be done to combat the high level of suicides being experienced in Wexford Harbour - so he subsequently founded Wexford Marinewatch. To date, Marinewatch has saved 96 persons from entering the water in Wexford, and dealt with well over 200 incidents. It continues to thrive with public support and its success is going from strength to strength with more & more people being assisted every week.
The management team is made up of members from Wexford’s emergency services, including the RNLI. To mark Frank’s hard work and dedication over the years, he was taken by surprise when he dropped by the Waterford Helicopter Base where he was presented with a framed print of the helicopter signed by all the Rescue 117 Crew, and an honorary flight jacket. Winchman Andrew Bernos, who made the presentation, said the crews of Rescue 117 were extremely grateful to Frank for all he has done for us over the years.
‘This presentation was our way of saying ‘Thank You’. We hope these mementos remind him of how much we all appreciate his efforts and encourages him to continue his voluntary work in saving further lives.’ Frank said that as chairman of Marinewatch, ‘I take solace knowing that there is now always Rescue Helicopter cover available 24hrs a day, should anyone enter the water in Wexford Harbour or anywhere along the South East coast.’ More information about Wexford Marinewatch can be found at www.wexfordmarinewatch.com If your original builder is unwilling to compensate you, you may be able to pursue a claim against the builder through the Small Claims procedure. The aim of this procedure is to provide an inexpensive, fast and easy way for consumers to resolve disputes without needing to employ a solicitor. The maximum amount you can claim is €2,000. The Small Claims service is provided through local District Court offices.
Anyone who has purchased goods or services for private use from someone selling them in the course of business may submit a claim using the Small Claims procedure. You can make claims for faulty goods or bad workmanship, minor damage to property and for the non-return of rent deposits for certain kinds of rented properties. Businesses involved in disputes with other businesses can also use the Small Claims procedure.
To make a claim, you complete an application form, which you can get from the Small Claims Registrar at your local District Court office. You can also get help in completing the form from the Registrar. Make sure you use the correct name and address of the person or company against whom you want to make the claim. The completed form with a fee of €25 should be lodged with the Small Claims Registrar. You can also apply online at the Courts Service Online website, csol.ie.
The Registrar sends a copy of your application to the person against whom you are making the claim. If the other party does not reply within 15 days of receiving your application, your claim will be automatically treated as undisputed and you can apply for a court order in your favour. But, if your claim is disputed, the Registrar will contact you and let you have a copy of the reasons why the other party is disputing your claim. The Registrar will try to negotiate a settlement to the dispute. If no settlement can be reached, the matter is then set down for a court hearing in the District Court. I started a new job 3 weeks ago. Although I have been paid each week, I don’t know if I have paid any tax or PRSI. How do I find that out? You should have been given a pay slip by your employer when you were paid. Your pay slip can be provided to you either in electronic format or in hard copy. Under the Payment of Wages Act 1991 all employees have the right to a pay slip which shows the gross pay and details of all deductions. A pay slip is essentially a written statement from the employer to the employee that outlines the total pay before tax and all details of any deductions from pay.
Certain deductions from pay are allowed under the Act. They include deductions that are required by law, for example, tax (PAYE), Universal Social Charge (USC) and social insurance (PRSI). Deductions provided for in your contract of employment, such as occupational pension contributions, are also allowed.
You should ask your employer for pay slips for the three weeks that you have already worked. If your employer fails to give you those pay slips and continues to pay you without giving you a pay slip, you may make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission ( WRC). To do this, you make a complaint under the Payment of Wages Act using the online complaint form available on the WRC website, workplacerelations.ie.
The Workplace Relations Commission also provides information on your rights and entitlements under employment legislation. For further information about your employment rights on pay slips and deductions from wages, you can contact its Information and Customer Service at Lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or through the website, workplacerelations.ie.
Further information on both of the topics above is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.