Refund Policy
REFUND AND DONATION POLICY
Effective Date: 1st March 2026
Last Updated: 1st March 2026
1. PURPOSE
This Refund and Donation Policy clearly states the non-refundable nature of all fees and donations made to Emerald Support Welcome Centre CLG ("the Organisation").
2. NON-REFUNDABLE POLICY
2.1 ALL FEES AND DONATIONS ARE STRICTLY NON-REFUNDABLE
ALL membership fees, enrolment fees, service fees, and donations made to the Organisation are FINAL and NON-REFUNDABLE under ANY circumstances.
This policy applies to:
• Membership enrolment fees
• Monthly membership fees
• Annual membership fees
• Donations (one-time or recurring)
• Event fees
• Any other payments made to the Organisation
3. MEMBERSHIP FEES
3.1 Enrolment Fees
The one-time enrolment fee paid when joining is NON-REFUNDABLE, even if:
• You cancel membership immediately after joining
• You change your mind about membership
• You are dissatisfied with services
• Your circumstances change
• You made a payment in error
3.2 Monthly/Annual Subscription Fees
Membership fees already paid are NON-REFUNDABLE, even if:
• You cancel your membership mid-billing period
• You do not use any services during the billing period
• You are moving out of Ireland
• You gain or lose employment
• Your immigration status changes
3.3 Prepaid Fees
If you prepay membership fees for multiple months, those fees are NON-REFUNDABLE even if you cancel before the prepaid period ends.
4. CANCELLATION POLICY
4.1 Right to Cancel
You may cancel your membership at any time by contacting us at membership@emeraldsupportwelcomecentre.ie.
4.2 Effect of Cancellation
Upon cancellation:
• You will NOT be charged for future billing periods
• Fees already paid will NOT be refunded
• Access to member benefits ends at the end of the current billing period
• Access to free services (for unemployed members) ends immediately
4.3 No Partial Refunds
If you cancel mid-month or mid-year, you will NOT receive a partial refund for the unused portion of the billing period.
Example: If you pay €10 on March 1st for March membership and cancel on March 15th, you will NOT receive a €5 refund for the remaining 15 days.
5. DONATIONS
5.1 All Donations Are Final
ALL donations made to the Organisation, whether one-time or recurring, are FINAL and NON-REFUNDABLE.
By making a donation, you acknowledge and agree that:
• Donations are voluntary contributions
• Donations are made without expectation of goods or services in return
• Donations cannot be reversed, refunded, or reclaimed
• The Organisation is not obligated to return donations under any circumstances
5.2 Recurring Donations
If you set up a recurring donation, you may cancel future donations at any time. However, donations already made will NOT be refunded.
5.3 Mistaken Donations
Even if a donation is made in error or by mistake, it is NON-REFUNDABLE. Please review payment details carefully before completing any donation.
6. PAYMENT ERRORS
6.1 Duplicate Payments
If you accidentally make duplicate payments (e.g., pay membership fee twice in the same month), please contact us immediately at membership@emeraldsupportwelcomecentre.ie.
We will review the situation and may, at our sole discretion:
• Apply the duplicate payment to a future billing period, OR
• Issue a refund for the genuinely erroneous duplicate payment
This is the ONLY circumstance in which a refund may be considered, and it is entirely at our discretion.
6.2 Technical Errors
If a technical error results in an incorrect charge amount, we will correct the error. However, if the correct amount has been charged, no refund will be issued.
7. CHARITY REGISTRATION AND TAX DEDUCTIBILITY
7.1 Charity Status
Emerald Support Welcome Centre CLG is registered in Ireland (Company Number: 796762). We are in the process of obtaining CHY (Charities Regulatory Authority) status.
7.2 Tax Receipts
We provide official receipts for all donations and membership fees for your tax records. However, tax deductibility depends on your individual circumstances and current Irish tax law.
7.3 Consult Your Accountant
Please consult your accountant or tax advisor regarding:
• Whether your donation/membership fee is tax-deductible
• How to claim tax relief (if applicable)
• Documentation required for tax purposes
The Organisation does NOT provide tax advice.
8. CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP FEES
8.1 Fee Increases
If we increase membership fees, existing members will be notified at least 30 days in advance.
8.2 No Refunds for Fee Changes
If you cancel your membership due to a fee increase, fees already paid are NON-REFUNDABLE.
8.3 Grandfathering
In the event of fee increases, we may (at our discretion) offer existing members the option to maintain their current rate for a limited period.
9. ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
9.1 By Completing Payment
By completing any payment (membership fee, donation, or other fee), you explicitly acknowledge and agree that:
• You have read and understood this Refund and Donation Policy
• You understand that ALL fees and donations are NON-REFUNDABLE
• You agree to be bound by this policy
• You will not dispute charges or request chargebacks for legitimate transactions
9.2 Chargeback Policy
Initiating a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank or card provider for a legitimate transaction is a violation of these terms and may result in:
• Immediate termination of membership
• Loss of all member benefits
• Potential legal action to recover fees and costs
If you have a billing concern, contact us FIRST at membership@emeraldsupportwelcomecentre.ie before initiating a chargeback.
10. EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
10.1 Sole Discretion
The Organisation reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to provide refunds in exceptional circumstances.
Such circumstances are rare and may include:
• Death of a member (may refund prepaid fees to estate)
• Serious medical hardship (case-by-case review)
• Demonstrable fraud by the Organisation
10.2 No Obligation
The Organisation is under NO obligation to provide refunds, even in exceptional circumstances. Any refund provided is a gesture of goodwill and does not create a precedent or obligation for future cases.
11. HOW FUNDS ARE USED
11.1 Membership Fees
Membership fees are used to:
• Sustain operations and services
• Provide FREE services to unemployed members
• Cover administrative costs
• Fund community events and workshops
• Support advocacy and outreach programs
11.2 Donations
Donations are used to:
• Expand services to underserved communities
• Support individuals experiencing extreme hardship
• Fund special projects and initiatives
• Cover operational costs not met by membership fees
11.3 Transparency
We provide annual reports and impact statements to members showing how funds are used.
12. CONTACT US
Questions about this policy? Contact us:
Emerald Support Welcome Centre Company Limited By Guarantee
Unit 1A Heatherview Business Centre, Athlone Road SSC 8167, Longford, N39 KD82, County Longford. Ireland
Phone: +353 85 121 9248 | +353 43 335 5034
Email: membership@emeraldsupportwelcomecentre.ie
Website: www.emeraldsupportwelcomecentre.ie
IMPORTANT NOTICE
THIS POLICY IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE ORGANISATION'S FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND ENSURE WE CAN CONTINUE PROVIDING SERVICES TO VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
BY MAKING ANY PAYMENT TO THE ORGANISATION, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO THIS NON-REFUNDABLE POLICY.
ALL FEES AND DONATIONS ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED EXCEPT IN THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE ORGANISATION IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.