Cookie Policy
What cookies IrishBenefits.ie uses, why, and how you can control them.
Last updated:
Contents
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, phone or tablet) when you visit a website. They allow the website to remember your preferences, analyse how the site is used, and display relevant advertising.
Cookies are not programs and cannot access other files on your device. They are widely used and managed through your browser settings.
2. Essential cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function correctly. They cannot be switched off as they are required for basic site operations.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| wordpress_* | WordPress | Session management for logged-in admin users only | Session |
| wp-settings-* | WordPress | Editor preferences (admin only) | 1 year |
| ib_cookie_consent | IrishBenefits.ie | Stores your cookie consent preference | 12 months |
Note: WordPress session cookies are only set for authenticated admin users. Regular visitors to IrishBenefits.ie do not receive WordPress session cookies.
3. Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use IrishBenefits.ie — which pages are visited, how long people stay, and where visitors come from. This data is aggregated and anonymised. It does not identify individual visitors.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique visitors | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique visitors | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics 4 | Maintains session state | 2 years |
Analytics cookies are only set with your consent. You can opt out at any time via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
4. Advertising cookies
IrishBenefits.ie displays advertisements via Google AdSense. Google uses advertising cookies to serve ads that are relevant to your interests, based on your browsing activity on this and other websites.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| NID | Ad personalisation and user preferences | 6 months | |
| IDE | DoubleClick (Google) | Ad targeting and measurement | 13 months |
| DSID | DoubleClick (Google) | Identifies signed-in Google users for ad personalisation | 2 weeks |
| test_cookie | DoubleClick (Google) | Checks that the browser accepts cookies | 15 minutes |
Advertising cookies are only set with your consent. You can manage your ad personalisation settings at adssettings.google.com or opt out via Your Online Choices.
5. How to manage cookies
You can control cookies in several ways:
Through your browser
All major browsers allow you to block or delete cookies in their settings:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
Blocking essential cookies may affect the functionality of some websites, though IrishBenefits.ie will continue to work correctly for most visitors even with cookies disabled.
Through Google
- Google Analytics opt-out: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Google Ads settings: adssettings.google.com
6. Cookie consent
When you first visit IrishBenefits.ie, we ask for your consent before placing analytics and advertising cookies on your device. Essential cookies are placed without consent as they are required for the site to function.
You can withdraw your consent at any time by clearing cookies in your browser settings. Your preference will be reset the next time you visit.
For more information about how we use your personal data, see our Privacy Policy.