Ireland Living and Working GEOGRAPHY Geographically Ireland

Ireland Living and Working

GEOGRAPHY Geographically Ireland is divided into two parts: The Republic of Ireland which is made up of 26 Counties Northern Ireland which is made up of 6 Counties and is part of U. K.

Labour Market Factors • • • Young highly educated workforce Immigration & Irish returnees National wage agreements English language High female participation rate

Ireland’s Demography (2007) • • • Total Population Aged 15+ Employment rate Unemployment rate (September 2008) 4. 4 million 3. 5 million 2. 1 million 68 % 6. 1%

But the Irish economy is changing… Employment Growth 1996 -2008

Opportunities • Financial & Business Sector • Wholesale & Retail Sector • Industry (General Operatives, Managers, Engineers) • Pharmaceutical Sector • Mechanics • Managers • Health Services • Meat Sector (Boners, Trimmers) • Hotel and Catering • Call Centres

Know before You Go Essential Preparation • Bring relevant personal documentation, relevant ‘E’ forms and European Health Insurance Card • Speak at least basic English • Have enough money to live for 1 month at least • Have somewhere to stay on arrival – Friend www. hostelbookers. com www. hosteldublin. com

Know before You Go Essential Preparation • Try to find a job before you arrive or be prepared to look for it • Discuss any queries relating to your contract of employment directly with your new employer • Seek pre-departure advice on “L & W”

Looking for job in Ireland FÁS – The Training & Employment Authority www. fas. ie – Employment - 5, 300 Jobs (September 2008) – Training Courses – CV on line www. eures. europa. eu – Living & Working in all the EU Countries

Looking for job in Ireland Private Recruitment Agencies • Irish Federation of Personnel Services (IFPS www. ifps. htm) • No Charge to Jobseekers • Agencies generally charge employers 12% to 20% of first year’s salary.

Some Useful Web Sites • • • Irish Government Citizens Information Irish Times: Irish Independent: Sunday Business Post: Irish Examiner: www. irlgov. ie www. citizensinformation. ie www. irish-times. com www. independent. ie www. sbpost. ie www. examiner. ie

On arrival - what you need to do 1. Register for PPS Number – Social Security 2. Register for Tax – Tax free allowance Cert. 3. Open a Bank Account Ø Introduction Letter from employer with exact details as per Passport or The letter from PPS application received back from Department of Social & Family Affairs (Social Welfare) Ø Driving Licence or Passport Ø Details of Irish Address – Utility Bill

PPS Number A PPS (Personal Public Service) Number is your unique reference number. This PPS Number will help you to access benefits and information from public service agencies more quickly and more easily. This includes services such as Social Welfare, Revenue, Public Healthcare and Education. More information on: www. welfare. ie

PPS Number – How to apply? In your local Welfare office you need to show: • Current Valid Passport or National Identity Card and • Evidence of either birth /work /unemployment /residency /tax liability /education and • Evidence of address in Ireland!!! (Household Bill, Official letter/document, financial statement, property lease or tenancy agreement, verified employers letter. All documents must show the applicants name and address)

Minimum Wage € 8. 65 per hour Please note: The minimum rate of pay increases from time to time. Details of current minimum rates are always available from the Employment Rights Information Unit or on the Department’s website www. entemp. ie

Personal Taxation • Tax system: PAYE = Pay As You Earn • 2 rates of Tax 20% on the first € 35, 400. 00 earned 41% on all earnings above € 35, 400. 00 • Personal tax allowances granted to individuals by a system of Tax Credits More information on: www. revenue. ie

Income tax - example Single Person - Tax Credit € 1, 830 Married Person - Tax Credit € 3, 660 Example: INCOME TAX – Single Person Salary of € 26, 000 euro A single person pays 20% tax on € 26, 000€ 5, 200 = Less € 1, 830 tax credit = € 3370 taxable pay

Social Security • PRSI = Pay related Social Security • No payment on first € 127. 00 of earnings • On a basic salary the social security deduction is 4% on earnings over € 127 • A health contribution of 2% is deducted from all income More information on: www. welfare. ie

Accommodation Rough guide Housing situation • 45% Owned outright • 35% Owned but with a mortgage • 18% Rented (private/local)

Average rents in Dublin per month • • Fully furnished 1 bedroom apartment 2 bedroom apartment 3 Bedroom House Bedsit/Studio € 950+ 1200+ 1300+ 550+

Renting a house or apartment • • • Landlords usually require: 1 month’s rent in advance 1 month’s rent as security Generally require 1 year’s lease Rental agreements are legal Custom is for young people to share accommodation.

Some approximate prices from a typical shopping basket • • • Eggs (6) Chicken (medium) Potatoes (2. 5 kg) Milk (1 litre) Bottle wine (average) • Washing up liquid 500 ml € 1. 25 € 7. 70 € 3. 80 € 0. 90 € 10. 00 € 1. 50

IRELAND • • • Head of State: Mary Mc. Aleese – President The Dáil (Parliament) + Senate Current Prime Minister – Brian Cowen Coalition Government Currency € - Euro • Time = GMT -Irish time plus 1 hour

IRELAND • Ireland offers a good quality of life • Temperate climate – lots of rain! • English speaking – the Irish language is still spoken in some areas but for work English is essential. • Many young people – a variety of interests – football, gaelic games, golf, fishing, rugby, music (U 2), theatre, cinema etc

Thank you Patrick Gibney EURES adviser Ireland E-mail: pat. gibney@wr. fas. ie FÁS activities are funded by the Irish Government and the National Training Fund

• Go Raibh Míle Máith Agat • Thank You