Introduction

Welcome to the Researchers HR Page. Working in conjunction with the Research and Innovation Support, our strategy is to provide HR and Employee Information specifically for the Research Community.Below you will find headings that will lead to information regarding Policies, Benefits, Relocation advice and links to external Research sites.This page will be developed over time to feature further HR information specifically for the Research Community. Should you like to suggest additions to this page, please contact Niamh Kelly or Gareth Yore in the HR department.

Policies & Procedures

HR Policies & Procedures

Maternity Leave Policy for Research Staff

Research Policies

Out of Hours/Lone Working Policy

IUA Research Salary Guidelines

Research Funding Information

European Charter for Researchers & Code of Conduct for Recruitment of Researchers

Forms

HR Forms

Web link to Certificate of Tax Credits (Form 12A)

Benefits & Welfare

Health care
PRSI & Tax
Annual leave
Researcher Development Program

Relocating to Ireland

DCU Researchers Relocation Booklet
DCU Staff Handbook

Other Links

Research and Innovation Support
Finance Office
Researchers Support System
Research Centre List
Researchers Mobility Portal
European Researcher Mobility Portal
Expertise Ireland
Researchers Bulletin

HEALTH CARE

DCU facilitates two two health care schemes for all Researchers. Staff can sign up to either scheme with deductions arranged through payroll.

Researchers can join BUPA with the 10% group scheme reduction. The only difference between our BUPA and VHI arrangement within DCU is that the money will not be deducted directly from your wages but as a direct debit from your own personal bank account. All documentation will be handled directly between the individual and BUPA. The Group number to quote is 10095, renewal date 1st October each year, but staff can join at any time. If another company presently insures you, there will be no waiting period upon your move. The payroll section hold application forms. For more information log on to http://www.bupaireland.ie/

DCU has a VHI group scheme, number 48/4318. Our renewal date is 22nd September each year, but staff can join at any time. The individual deals directly with VHI ensuring to quote your staff number on your application form. They in turn will notify DCU of your contribution amount, to be deducted weekly/monthly from your payroll. If you wish to transfer from another group scheme you just have to contact VHI and quote our group number and your staff number and they will look after all the paper work. The payroll section hold application forms for new members. For more information log onto you http://www.vhihealthe.com/

TAX & PRSI

Researchers like all staff have their tax deducted from their salary under the PAYE system. This means that DCU deducts tax that is owed directly from salaries, and pays this tax directly to the Revenue Commissioners. To ensure tax is correctly deducted from the start, it is important that staff:

• Provide their PPS Number. This number is your unique personal identification number for public services. DCU will then let your tax office know that you have started work and that they are your employers.
• Provide their P45. The P45 states the amount of pay a person has received, the amount of tax and social insurance (PRSI) paid to date and the name of the last employer, etc. When starting at DCU, researchers need to provide the Finance office this form. The Finance office will takes some details from your P45 and then sends the form to the tax office. This will notify the tax office that you have now commenced working for DCU and ensures that tax is being deducting appropriately.

Researchers working for the first time in Ireland need to apply for a Certificate of Tax Credits. Researchers will need to complete an application form to do this (called Form 12A Application for a Certificate of Tax Credits). The Finance Office will inform you of which tax office your completed form should be sent to. The tax office will then return to you a detailed statement of your tax credits. Employees own personal circumstances dictate the amount of tax credits they are entitled to.

Tax credits are the part of your salary, which you are not liable for tax. What this amount will be depends on the value of your tax credits. Tax credits consist of various allowances and relief, which that may be claimed, depending on your circumstances. (Staff can claim a personal allowance for example, and also relief for items such as private health insurance premiums, mortgage interest etc.). More information is available from your tax office or online from the website of the Revenue Commissioners: www.revenue.ie.

PRSI or Pay Related Social Insurance is the social insurance contributions that are paid by all staff. PRSI contributions fund social insurance benefits and entitlements. These contributions are divided into different categories known as ‘classes’ or ‘rates of ‘contribution’. The type of class and rate that is paid is determined by the nature of your work. The majority of all staff has PRSI deducted under class A (apart from staff employed permanently before 6th April 1995 – who have PRSI deducted under class D). Class A is where weekly income is in excess of €400. Employee’s PRSI contribution is currently 2.00% on the first €127 each week and 6.00% thereafter up to €44,180. From €44,180 upward a standard contribution of 2.00% is due. If an employee’s income is less than €400 but over €287 per week the first €127 each week is exempt and the remainder is deducted at 4.00%. There is no liability on income under €287 per week. These percentage rates include the Health Contribution. The employer’s contribution is 8.5% of all income if under €356 per week and 10.75% on all income if over €356 per week with no ceiling.

PRSI contributions paid at Class A entitles staff to the following benefits:

• Unemployment Benefit
• Disability Benefit
• Maternity Benefit
• Invalidity Pension
• Survivor’s Contributory Pension
• Orphan’s Contributory Pension
• Retirement Pension
• Old Age Contributory Pension
• Bereavement Grant
• Treatment Benefit
• Occupational Injuries Benefits
• Adoptive Benefit
• Carer’s Benefit
• Health & Safety Benefit
• Redundancy
• Working in the EU – Unemployment Benefit
• Working in the EU – Health Services

Further information about PRSI can be obtained from the Finance website: http://www.dcu.ie/finance/prsi.shtml

ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave entitlements are dictated by contracts of employment. The leave year runs from 1st January until 31st December. It will be normal practice for research staff to take all their allowance during the leave year and only in exceptional circumstances a carry over of up to 5 days maximum may be allowed, where it is approved by the Head of School/Centre and by the Director of Human Resources.

• 1 January (New Year's Day)
• St. Patrick's Day
• Easter Monday;
• The first Monday in May;
• The first Monday in June;
• The first Monday in August;
• The last Monday in October;
• Christmas Day;
• St. Stephen's Day.

A request for annual leave should be approved and signed by the Head of School/Centre on the appropriate Annual Leave Record Form which is held by each individual staff member prior to taking annual leave.

Annual leave sheets are prepared in the Human Resoures Department at the beginning of each leave year. These leave sheets will take into account the exceptional carryover from the previous year (this will be exceptional and subject to a maximum of 5 days). The prepared annual leave sheets will be circulated to each individual who will retain this leave sheet for the year. Should a researcher staff member wish to take annual leave, the leave sheet is completed by the staff member and forwarded to the Head of School/Centre for approval. This leave sheet is then returned to the research staff member who should send it to the Human Resources Department for noting. If the annual leave is approved; the Human Resources Department are advised of the absence through the weekly absence returns. Each research staff member should return their completed annual sheet at the end of each year (December) so that a new leave sheet may be prepared for the next leave year.