Who Does What?
Which part of the EU provides the services that you might need?
EU Representation in Ireland
The aim of the EU Representation is to provide a voice to the European Commission in Ireland and to communication EU affairs at national and local level. A weekly electronic newsletter is available with updates on developments within the EU and an agenda of upcoming events. The European Representation makes EU expert speakers available for events. These experts can lead workshops or debates at conferences or within organisations such as schools, NGOs, businesses etc. They may also give interviews or write articles for the media. You may invite them to speak at your own Europe event.
Your Europe Legal Advisor
Your Europe Legal Advice Service provides free advice on your rights within the European Union and can clarify European law that may apply to your case. Consultation is available with your Legal Advisor by appointment, which can be arrange by phone at 01-634 1111, by email at eu-ie-info-request@ec.europa.eu or through the European Commission Representation in Ireland at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Queries can also be submitted via a web form or the free phone number 00800 678 91011. Advice is provided through your own language and within a week of your request.
Your Europe Advice website: http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/front_end/index_en.htm
Web form link: http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/front_end/css_solvit_en.cfm
Enterprise Europe Network
Launched in 2008, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) provides advice to small and medium sized companies (SMEs) on exploiting business opportunities within the EU. Information and advice is provided through your own language by EEN staff and although tailored primarily at SMEs, services are also available to other businesses, universities and research centres. Contact details for the Enterprise Europe Network Ireland are available on the European Commission website.
Link to EC website: http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/eu_services_in_ireland/enterprise_europe_network/index_en.htm
European Consumer Centre
The European Consumer Centre Ireland (ECC Ireland) was established as part of a European wide network to encourage consumer confidence within the EU. ECC Ireland advises citizens on their consumer rights while shopping in another European state. This facilitates easy access to redress and if necessary, the EEC Network also offers a dispute resolution service. In such a case, EEC Ireland can mediate with a trader through the sister centre of the country of purchase. Please see the EEC Ireland website for contact details.
Link to EEC Ireland: http://www.eccireland.ie/contact_us.php
European Documentation Centres (EDCs)
A number of European Documentation Centres (EDCs) have been integrated into Irish University libraries to enhance the information services of the European Representation. The EDCs provide an extensive collection of official publications and documents of the institutions of the European Union that are updated on a continual basis. For contact details, please see the European Commission website.
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/eu_services_in_ireland/european_documentation_centres/index_en.htm
EU Structural Funds Information Office
Information relating to the projects, annual reports and expenditure which Ireland co-financed using European Union Structural Funds. Provides access to the National Strategy for using European Structural Funds. Additional information is available from the European Structural Funds in Ireland website
Urban Forum for Sustainable Development
A network of Urban Forum for Sustainable Development has been established across Europe that provides information on environmental issues. The Dublin Forum for Sustainable Development is located at NUI Dublin. Please contact Paula Russell for details at 01-706 2772 or email paula.russell@ucd.ie.
European Network for Rural Development
Launched in 2008, the European Network for Rural Development (EN RD) helps to ensure that Rural Development Programmes are implemented efficiently across the EU. It provides information on developments in rural areas through newsletters and reports, organises seminars and runs networks to facilitate idea sharing and the spread of knowledge, expertise and support in the area of rural development policy. Information on Irish events, publications, networking opportunities and current work is available on the Irish National Rural Network website.
The Rural Development Programme for Ireland will run until 2013.
Irish National Rural Network website: http://www.nrn.ie/
National Support Network for FP7
The Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development are the main mechanisms for supporting collaborative research, development and innovations in science, engineering and technology within the European Union. They are open to all EU public and private bodies, including provision for the participation of non-EU states, and the current Seventh Framework Programme is supported in Ireland through the National Support Network for FP7. Ireland has already drawn down funding of over €360m for FP7. Full details of FP7 are available on the National Support Network website.
Eurodesk
Eurodesk, part of the Youth In Action Programme, is a network throughout 31 countries dedicated to supporting those working with young people, promoting information on European opportunities for young people and providing access to European information. Eurodesk helps to raise awareness of European issues through exhibitions, school visits, publications and newsletters. Leargas has been the Eurodesk partner in Ireland since 1995, providing 30 contact points around Ireland at Youth Information Centres and one youth cafe. Please see the Eurodesk Ireland website for further details.
FIN-NET
FIN-NET was launched in 2001 and provides a network for settling cross-border financial disputes within the EEC out of Court ie. disputes between consumers and financial service providers such as banks, insurance companies etc. Irish citizens should contact the Financial Services Ombudsman if a financial dispute arises with an institution in another EEC country.
SOLVIT
SOLVIT is an on-line problem solving network in which EU Member States work together to solve problems caused by the misapplication of Internal Market law by public authorities, without legal proceedings. There is a SOLVIT centre in every European Union Member State (as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). SOLVIT Centres can help with handling complaints from both citizens and businesses. They are part of the national administration and are committed to providing real solutions to problems within ten weeks. Using SOLVIT is free of charge.
Further information is available at http://www.solvitireland.ie/ http://ec.europa.eu/solvit/site/index_en.htm
EURAXESS
EURAXESS is the Researchers’ Mobility Portal Ireland, which is part of an initiative involving both the European Commission and countries participating in the European Union’s Framework Programmes for Research. The National Service Centre located at the Irish Universities Association and supported by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.
As a researcher in Ireland, the EURAXESS Services Centre (formerly known as the Researcher Mobility Network) helps researchers and their family to plan and organise their move to a foreign country, providing help in all matters related to mobility.
Full details are available at http://www.euraxess.ie
EURES
EURES is a cooperation network between the European Commission, the Public Employment Services of the European Economic Area (EEA) Member States and other partner organisations. The purpose of EURES is to provide information, advice and recruitment/placement (job-matching) services for the benefit of workers and employers, as well as any citizen wishing to benefit from the principle of the free movement of persons.
Online information can be accessed at http://ec.europa.eu/eures/
EUROPASS
Provides EU citizens with the tools to help communicate their skills and qualifications effectively when looking for a job or training. Provides assistance to employers to understand the skills and qualifications of the workforce and helps education and training authorities define and communicate the content of curricula.