Welcome to Timebank Ireland. As a member, you're part of a community built on trust and mutual respect. This guide simplifies our Terms of Service (Appendix A) to help you understand your role, responsibilities, and how we all stay safe.
At a Glance: Your Membership
Our community has two types of members. This flowchart shows the journey from joining to becoming verified for exchanges with children or vulnerable persons.
Your Membership Journey
1. Register
You agree to the Terms of Service.
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2. You are a "General Member"
You can join low-risk exchanges.
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3. Want to do "Relevant Work"?
(e.g., transport for children, befriending)
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4. Apply for Vetting
Complete the Garda eVetting process.
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5. You become a "Verified Member"
Approved for all exchanges.
Key Definitions
Click a term below to see its official definition.
Member
General Member
Verified Member
Relevant Work
Vulnerable Person
Exchange
Select a term to view its definition here.
Your Responsibilities (The Rules)
These are the core principles that keep our community safe and fair.
Act in Good Faith
You agree to act honestly, fairly, and respectfully in all dealings with other Members and the Organisation.
Your Safety First
You are responsible for your own health and safety. You have the right to refuse any exchange you feel is unsafe or you are not comfortable with.
Your Own Insurance
The Organisation's insurance does not cover your personal activities. You are responsible for your own motor, home, or professional indemnity insurance.
Prohibited Conduct
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You must not engage in certain activities. Click to see the full list.
- Post any content that is defamatory, obscene, discriminatory, hateful, or promotes illegal activity.
- Harass, abuse, or harm another person.
- Breach any applicable laws or regulations.
- Ask for or accept money, gifts, or tips for a service (Time Credits are the only unit of exchange).
- Misrepresent your skills, qualifications, or your “Verified Member” status.
The "Legal Stuff": Our Role & Limits
It's important you understand what we do and what we don't do. We are a "platform" that facilitates connections, not an employer or a service provider.
Our Role & Disclaimers
- We act as a **facilitator** to help Members connect. We are not part of any Exchange.
- Your membership does **not** create an employment, partnership, or agency relationship.
- We **do not guarantee** the quality, safety, legality, or suitability of any service offered by a Member.
- You engage with other Members **at your own risk**.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, hOUR Timebank CLG shall not be liable for any damages, loss, or injury arising from your use of the Platform or interactions with other Members. Our total liability to you for any and all claims is limited to **€100**.
Disputes & Termination
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How to handle disagreements and how membership can end. Click to expand.
Disputes
- First, try to resolve any dispute with another Member informally and in good faith.
- If that fails, you may submit a formal written complaint. We may offer informal mediation, but we are not obligated to do so.
Termination
- **By You:** You can terminate your membership at any time with written notice.
- **By Us:** We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your membership if you breach these Terms, if required by law, if a vetting disclosure makes you unsuitable, or if you pose a risk to the community.
This section details the internal procedure **(P-GOV-002)** for handling Garda Vetting (eVetting). This is a mandatory process to comply with the National Vetting Bureau Acts 2012-2016 and is intended for use by the Board of Trustees, Staff, and the designated Liaison Person.
Procedure: The 2-Level Verification Model
Our system is a risk-based model that starts all members at a general, low-risk level and provides a clear, legally-compliant path to verification for "Relevant Work."
Level 1: General Member Onboarding
- New applicant registers on the Platform.
- Applicant provides name, email, and ticks a box to agree to the Terms of Service.
- Applicant is now a "General Member."
- Crucially: Their profile and the Platform must make it clear they are NOT permitted to view or accept any exchange request identified as "Relevant Work."
Level 2: "Verified Member" Application
Initiated by the Timebank Coordinator or Liaison Person:
- Send Member the Vetting Invitation Form (NVB 1) and collect proof of identity (100 points) and address.
- Validate identity and send the eVetting Application Form (NVB 2) link via email.
- Member completes the full application online.
- Liaison Person reviews and submits the form to the National Vetting Bureau (NVB).
Procedure: Handling Vetting Disclosures
This flowchart outlines the mandatory process for the Liaison Person upon receiving a Vetting Disclosure from the NVB. This process is confidential and must be followed precisely.
Vetting Disclosure Handling Process
1. Disclosure Received
From NVB to Liaison Person's secure account.
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2. Review Disclosure
Does it contain information ("NIL" or "With Information")?
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3a. Case A: "NIL DISCLOSURE"
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- Approve the Member's application.
- Change status to "Verified Member".
- Notify Member of approval.
- Provide Member with a copy of their disclosure (mandatory).
3b. Case B: "DISCLOSURE WITH INFO"
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- **Do NOT approve immediately.**
- Escalate to Disclosure Assessment Panel (Trustees + Sr. Staff).
- Panel assesses info (nature, relevance, time elapsed).
- Panel makes final determination (Approve or Deny).
- Notify Member of the decision and provide disclosure copy.
Data Protection & Confidentiality
All vetting data is classified as **Highly Sensitive Personal Data** under GDPR. Failure to protect this data is a serious breach of law and policy.
- All vetting data (applications, disclosures, notes) must be stored securely.
- Access is strictly limited to the Liaison Person and the Disclosure Assessment Panel.
- Data must be processed *only* for assessing suitability for "Relevant Work" and no other purpose.
- Disclosures must be retained only as long as necessary, per the Data Retention Policy.
- All individuals handling this data must adhere to the strictest confidentiality.