Benefit Schemes Snapshot
Income Continuance Plan (ICP)
For permanent UCC staff members, membership of the ICP is compulsory. It provides additional payment where salary is reduced or ceased because of long-term illness or injury. Contributions amount to 0.80 % (gross) of salary and tax relief is deducted at source. To be granted immunity to medical underwriting and become an automatic entrant to the scheme, please fill out the ICP Form within the first 2 months of eligibility and return to Human Resources. Applications received after 2 months will be subject to medical underwriting and may result in your application being declined by the Insurance Company. For further information, please contact Kathy O’Connell on ext 2674 or K.OConnell@ucc.ie
Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme
Membership of this scheme is compulsory and it applies to all employees of the University (subject to individual acceptance by Insurers). Provides cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, worldwide, specifically in relation to accidents. Each employee contributes by way of monthly (or weekly) deductions from salary at the rate of .06 of 1%. In addition, Insurers will provide cover for a career break of up to one year's duration. If cover is required, the full premium for the year must be paid in advance. Contact the Payroll Office to make arrangements.
Housing Loan Scheme (currently suspended)
A loan may be made to any permanent full-time staff member intending to purchase a house for permanent personal occupation by the borrower provided that the new applicant is either a) a new staff member who has to transfer to Cork to take up an appointment in the College or b) purchasing his/her first home. The object of the Scheme is to help to meet the difference between the proportion of cost usually advanced by banks, building societies and other finance houses and the total cost involved in the house purchase. For full details of this scheme, please visit UCC Housing Loan Scheme.
Additional Voluntary Life Assurance
Administered through Willis, Additional Life Cover provides a lump sum to your dependents in the unfortunate event of your death. The contribution rate of 0.30% of salary is the same regardless of age, sex, and whether you smoke or not. The level of cover under this plan is two times salary. Deductions are made directly from salary and attract full tax relief. For further information, please contact Kathy O’Connell on ext 2674 or K.OConnell@ucc.ie
Health Insurance
VHI, Laya Healthcare and Aviva offer UCC staff members a group discount scheme. The Corporate Schemes have an in-built 10% reduction in premiums. If you are interested in taking out a policy, please ask for a quotation of Corporate Schemes. All schemes provide varying rates of health care cover for hospital accommodation, consultant’s fees, GP visits, in-patient and out-patient treatment, etc. For further information, please contact Kathy O’Connell on ext 2674 or K.OConnell@ucc.ie
AA Benefit
AA Insurances offer a discount scheme for UCC staff for motor, home and travel insurance. For further information, please visit the Office of Corporate and Legal Affairs website http://secretary.ucc.ie/general/insurance.asp
Employee Assistance Programme
The UCC Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a free and confidential service for UCC employees, their household family members and retired staff. To ensure the confidentiality of the service, the programme has been outsourced to Positive People Company (PPC). Information and advice on consumer, financial and legal issues are available online on www.ppconline.info (user name: ucc/ password eap) or freephone 1800409476. Telephone counselling and short term face-to-face counselling (up to 8 sessions per issue) with qualified professionals is also available free of charge to all users on 1800409476. Calls can be made anonymously.
UCC Advantage Scheme
The Department of Human Resources has developed a discount scheme through which staff members can benefit from group rates on a wide range of goods and services from a variety of local and national suppliers. For a full list of participants and special offers please visit http://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/advantage/
UCC Travel Pass Scheme
The University can now purchase annual bus and rail commuter tickets for employees without being subject to benefit-in-kind. In addition the payment is not subject to employer PRSI so there are big savings all round. For further information, please visit http://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/travel-pass/
UCC Employer Bicycle Scheme
As part of the Finance Bill 2009, the Government has introduced a tax incentive aimed at encouraging more employees to cycle to and from work. The proposal is to exempt from income tax and PRSI the purchase of a bicycle/related bicycle safety equipment if the employee buys it through their employer and where the bicycle/related bicycle safety equipment is used by the employee mainly for the journey to and from work. UCC is offering its employees the option to purchase a bicycle and related bicycle safety equipment through the University, as UCC will buy the bicycle/related bicycle safety equipment and the employee will reimburse UCC by means of a salary deduction, which will be exempt from income tax and PRSI. For full details, please visit http://www.ucc.ie/en/build/commuting/Cycling/bodytext-82890-en.html
UCC Staff Sports and Social Club
There is a Staff Sports and Social Club in operation in the University. For further information and news on upcoming events please visit http://www.ucc.ie/en/sportsandsocial/
Staff Fee Concession Scheme
The University provides a Fee Concession Scheme for staff, the amount of which will vary depending on the full-time or part-time nature of the staff contract. The Scheme is limited to the fees payable in respect of two programmes of study, one at undergraduate and one at postgraduate level. Click HERE for further information on the scheme and to access an application form.
