Travel consent, statutory declarations and letters of authority in Ireland

For a parent or guardian in Ireland who is not going on the trip: a signed letter consenting to the child travelling abroad with the other parent, grandparents, a school or another family. Immigration officers and airlines may ask for evidence of the absent parent's consent, and there is no State form for it. The letter names the child, the trip and the dates, and gives your phone number so that it can be checked. Give it to the adult travelling, with a copy of your passport. A child's passport application uses the Passport Service's own free consent forms instead.

For someone in Ireland who disagrees with a Department of Social Protection decision on a payment such as Jobseeker's, Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance or Carer's Allowance. It asks the Deciding Officer to review the decision, with new facts or evidence. A review has no time limit, but it does not replace an appeal: the free SWAO1 form, or the online appeal, must reach the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 60 days, and you can do both. Post it by registered post (An Post) or hand it in. Sold blank, as it may hold health data.

For anyone in Ireland who wants a relative, friend or carer to deal with their bank, energy or phone company, landlord or another organisation for them: a signed letter naming the person, the accounts or matter, and whether they may only discuss it and receive information or also give instructions. It lets the organisation share your personal data with them, and you can withdraw it at any time. Many organisations have their own free form; use that if they ask. It is not a power of attorney.

For anyone in Ireland asked by a bank, an insurer, an employer or a public body to confirm facts by statutory declaration — a lost document, a change of name, living together, an address. You write the facts in numbered paragraphs; the document adds the closing words and the attestation that the Statutory Declarations Act 1938 sets out, for the person who takes it to complete. You sign it in person before a commissioner for oaths, a notary public, a peace commissioner or a practising solicitor, with your passport or national identity card unless they know you. It cannot be signed electronically.

For anyone who wants records held by a government department, council, the HSE, a public hospital, university, An Garda Síochána or another FOI body in Ireland. A request under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, addressed to the body's FOI officer, describing the records and the form you want them in, and asking for a decision within four weeks. Making a request is free; many bodies also take requests by their own email or online form. Send it by email or by registered post (An Post).