Terms of Service
What has changed
Updated to address insurance company requirements: Added platform role distinction, transaction recording process, reviews and feedback policy, enhanced liability disclaimers.
Agreement to Terms
By accessing or using hOUR Timebank Ireland (accessible at hour-timebank.ie), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. Please read them carefully before participating in our community.
These terms establish a framework for fair, respectful, and meaningful exchanges between community members across Ireland. Our goal is to create a trusted environment where everyone's time is valued equally.
If you are using the platform on behalf of an organisation, you represent that you have authority to bind that organisation to these terms.
Platform Role & Responsibility
hOUR Timebank Ireland is a connection platform only. We provide technology and tools that enable community members to find and arrange service exchanges with each other.
Critical Distinction
We are NOT a service provider. We do not perform, supervise, direct, or control any services exchanged between members. We are similar to online platforms like Yelp, Facebook Marketplace, or community notice boards — we facilitate connections, but the actual exchanges are entirely between independent members.
What we provide:
- A platform to post service offers and requests
- Tools to connect with other community members
- A time credit system to track exchanges
- Community guidelines and dispute resolution support
- Educational resources about timebanking
What we do NOT provide:
- Vetting, training, or certification of service providers
- Supervision or quality control of services
- Insurance coverage for exchanges
- Employment or contractor relationships
- Guarantees about service quality or completion
1. Who We Are
hOUR Timebank Ireland is operated by hOUR Timebank CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee), a registered Irish charity.
- Charity Registration Number: RCN 20162023
- Registered Address: 21 Páirc Goodman, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, P81 AK26, Ireland
- Primary Contact: [email protected]
We are registered with the Charities Regulator and operate in compliance with the Charities Act 2009.
3. Transaction Recording & Verification
Time credits are the internal currency of our timebank. They are recorded when members complete service exchanges.
Recording Process
After completing an exchange:
- The member who received the service logs the transaction in their account
- They record the number of hours and a description of the service
- The member who provided the service receives a notification
- Both members can view the transaction in their wallet history
Disputes
If there is a disagreement about a transaction:
- Members should first attempt to resolve it directly with each other
- If unresolved, either party may contact our Community Support team
- We will review the transaction and may adjust or cancel it if appropriate
- Our decision on disputed transactions is final
Time credits have no monetary value and cannot be exchanged for cash. They exist solely to facilitate community exchanges.
4. Safeguarding
We take safeguarding seriously. hOUR Timebank Ireland operates in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016 and Children First Act 2015.
Garda Vetting
Members who wish to provide services involving:
- Children under 18 years of age
- Vulnerable adults
- Unsupervised access to private homes
...may be required to undergo Garda Vetting through our registered organisation.
Reporting Concerns
If you have any safeguarding concerns about a member or an exchange, please report them immediately to our Safeguarding Lead at [email protected].
5. Nature of Relationship
The relationship between members is that of independent volunteers helping each other within a community framework.
No Employment Relationship
Time banking is a form of mutual aid. Members are NOT employees, contractors, agents, or joint venture partners of hOUR Timebank Ireland or each other. There is no employer-employee relationship created by participating in timebanking.
Under Irish law and Revenue guidance, genuine time-for-time exchanges between individuals are generally not considered taxable income. However, members are responsible for their own tax affairs and should seek professional advice if uncertain.
6. Assumption of Risk
By participating in timebanking exchanges, you acknowledge and accept certain inherent risks:
- Quality of Services: Services are provided by community volunteers with varying skill levels
- Property: There is some risk of accidental damage when inviting others into your home or using their tools/equipment
- Personal Safety: While we maintain community guidelines, we cannot guarantee the behaviour of all members
- Completion: Members may sometimes be unable to complete agreed exchanges
We encourage members to:
- Start with small exchanges to build trust
- Check references and reviews where available
- Meet in public places for first meetings where appropriate
- Trust your instincts — you can always decline an exchange
7. Privacy & Data Protection
We are committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Acts 1988-2018.
Data Controller
hOUR Timebank CLG is the data controller for personal information collected through this platform.
What We Collect
We collect only the information necessary to operate the timebank:
- Account information (name, email, password)
- Profile details (bio, skills, location)
- Transaction history (time credits, exchanges)
- Communications through the platform
For full details, please see our Privacy Policy.
8. User Content
You retain ownership of any content you post (listings, messages, reviews, etc.), but grant us a license to display it on the platform. You are responsible for ensuring your content:
- Is accurate and not misleading
- Does not infringe any third-party rights
- Complies with Irish law
- Follows our Community Guidelines
We may remove content that violates these terms without notice.
9. Reviews and Feedback System
Our review system helps build trust in the community by allowing members to share their experiences.
Review Guidelines
When leaving reviews, members must:
- Be honest and factual
- Base feedback on actual exchange experiences
- Avoid personal attacks or discriminatory language
- Not include private contact information
Review Moderation
We moderate reviews and may remove content that:
- Contains false statements of fact
- Is defamatory under the Defamation Act 2009
- Violates our Community Guidelines
- Is clearly fraudulent or malicious
Dispute Process
If you believe a review about you is unfair or inaccurate:
- You may respond publicly to the review
- You may report the review for moderation
- Our team will review and may remove it if it violates our policies
In accordance with Section 27 of the Defamation Act 2009, we will consider removing reviews containing false statements of fact upon receipt of a valid complaint.
10. Limitation of Liability
Please Read Carefully
To the fullest extent permitted by Irish law:
- hOUR Timebank Ireland provides this platform "as is" without warranties of any kind
- We are not liable for any damages arising from exchanges between members
- We are not liable for the quality, safety, or legality of services exchanged
- We are not liable for any loss, injury, or damage resulting from your use of the platform or participation in exchanges
- Our total liability to you for any claims shall not exceed the value of time credits in your account
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits our liability for:
- Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
- Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
- Any other matter which cannot be excluded by law
11. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless hOUR Timebank Ireland, its officers, directors, volunteers, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:
- Your use of the platform
- Your participation in exchanges
- Your violation of these terms
- Your violation of any rights of another person
12. Account Termination
We may suspend or terminate your account if you:
- Violate these Terms of Service
- Breach our Community Guidelines
- Engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
- Pose a safeguarding risk to other members
You may close your account at any time through your account settings. Upon termination, your time credits will expire and cannot be transferred.
13. Insurance
Platform Provider — No Organisational Insurance
As a platform provider (not a service provider), hOUR Timebank Ireland does not carry liability insurance for member-to-member exchanges. This is because we do not perform, direct, supervise, or control any exchange between members. We connect people — we are not a party to the exchange itself.
Platform providers (such as online notice boards, community apps, and peer-to-peer platforms) are not liable for the independent actions of the users they connect, and do not carry insurance in respect of those exchanges. Our position is analogous to a community notice board: we provide the space for connections, but what happens between members is independent of us.
Members are solely responsible for ensuring they have appropriate cover for any activities they undertake. You should check whether your home insurance, public liability policy, or existing volunteering coverage extends to community exchange activities. If you are offering services professionally, you should hold appropriate professional indemnity or public liability insurance.
Nothing in this section limits our liability for our own negligence in operating the platform itself.
14. Dispute Resolution
If you have a complaint about the platform or another member:
- Direct Resolution: Try to resolve the issue directly with the other party
- Community Support: Contact our Community Support team for mediation
- Formal Complaint: Submit a formal complaint in writing if still unresolved
These terms are governed by Irish law. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ireland.
15. Modifications
We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. When we make significant changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- We will notify you via email or platform notification
- Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
16. Accessibility
We are committed to making our platform accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. If you experience accessibility issues, please contact us at [email protected].
17. Intellectual Property
The hOUR Timebank Ireland name, logo, and platform design are our intellectual property. You may not use our branding without written permission.
18. Force Majeure
We are not liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemics, government actions, or technical failures.
19. Severability
If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
20. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms of Service:
- Email: [email protected]
- Post: hOUR Timebank CLG, 21 Páirc Goodman, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, P81 AK26, Ireland