IrelandIrelandLiving and Living and WorkingWorking

Geographically Ireland is Geographically Ireland is divided into two parts:divided into two parts:

The Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland which is made up of 26 which is made up of 26 CountiesCounties

Northern Ireland which is Northern Ireland which is made up of 6 Counties and made up of 6 Counties and is part of U.K.is part of U.K.

GEOGRAPHY

Labour Market Factors

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

Ireland’s Demography

• Total Population 4.4 million• Population Aged 15+ 3.8 million• Employment 2.1 million• Unemployment rate 12.5%

Employment Growth 1998-2009

the Irish Economy is Changing…

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Unemployment Rising Rapidly

Live Register

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Figure 1.11: Vacancies Notified to FAS 2004-2008

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2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Jan-May VacanciesYEAR

2008

2009 % Decline

Service/Sales Managers 1806 1039 42%

Health associate professionals 1105 469 58%

Science/engineering associate professionals 1700 729 57%

Other associate professionals 1811 1822 -1%

Skilled metals/engineering workers 2667 1018 62%

Skilled building workers 1177 328 72%

Clerical workers 5178 1781 66%

Health/care service workers 3169 1521 52%

Hotel/catering workers 8271 3703 55%

Sales workers 8038 4156 48%

Transport workers 1543 487 68%

Other service workers 6309 2850 55%

Other production workers and operatives 2818 753 73%

Total 48881 22567 54%

• Software Engineers (with experience in networks and specific software applications (e.g. Java).

• Accountants (with expertise in regulation, compliance and risk)

• Actuaries• Marketing Managers (with considerable experience)• Technical Sales Representatives with knowledge of

particular products/services• Scientists (highly qualified and experienced

professionals and technicians)• IT specialists with fluent foreign language skills• Engineers (experienced design and process engineers

for manufacturing subsectors)

Opportunities – Skills and Labour Shortages

Opportunities – Skills and Labour Shortages

• Sales Assistants (i.e. shops)• Clerical (office work, accounts)• Caring (health care, child care, elder care)• Catering (Chefs, waiters, fast food)• Hairdressing• Security (shops, office, factories)• Health sector (e.g. Doctors and Nurses)

Occupational Employment Forecasts 2012

More information: www.fas.ie - FÁS Quarterly Labour Market Commentary

- Job Opportunities in the Down-Turn

Engineering, Computing, scientific, Medical,Legal and Financial Professionals

• Contact your local EURES Adviser before you leave the country

• Seek pre-departure advice on “L & W”• Bring relevant personal documentation,

relevant ‘E’ forms and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

• Speak at least basic English• Have enough money to live for 1 month at least

Know before You Go Essential Preparation

Know before You Go Essential Preparation

• Try to find a job before you arrive or be Try to find a job before you arrive or be prepared to look for itprepared to look for it

• Discuss any queries relating to your contract of employment directly with your new employer

• Have somewhere to stay on arrival – Friend www.hostelbookers.com www.hosteldublin.com

Qualification recognition

• The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland www.nqai.ie is the Irish centre for the recognition of international qualifications.

• The Authority represents Ireland in a European network of Centres known as ENIC/NARIC www.enic-naric.net (European National Information Centre/National Academic

Recognition Information Centre).

FÁS – The Training & Employment Authority

www.fas.ie – Employment: 2,891 Jobs (February 2009)

* 5,300 Jobs (September 2008)

- Training Courses– CV on line

www.eures.europa.eu – Living & Working in all the EU Countries

Looking Work in Ireland

Private Recruitment Agencies

• Irish Federation of Personnel Services (IFPS www.nrf.ie )

• No Charge to Jobseekers• Agencies generally charge employers

12% to 20% of first year’s salary.

Looking for Work in Ireland

Internships/ Work experience in

Ireland • www.leargas.ie• www.ie.aiesec.org/AI• www.gradireland.com• www.iaeste.ie• EURES portal

{(Access www.eures.europa.eu ; select –Jobseekers; select - Related links: National Employment Services (on bottom right hand side of screen), select - Information and jobs for graduates (on left hand side of screen)}.

Some Useful Web Sites

• Irish Government www.gov.ie • Citizens Information

www.citizensinformation.ie• Irish Times: www.irish-times.com • Irish Independent: www.independent.ie • Sunday Business Post: www.sbpost.ie • Irish Examiner: 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

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

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)

PPS Number – How to apply?

Introduction Letter from employer with exact details as per Passport

or The letter from PPS application received

back from Social Welfare Department

Driving Licence or Passport

Details of Irish Address – Utility Bill

Opening a bank account

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 €36,400.00 earned 41% on all earnings above €36,400.00

• Personal tax allowances granted to individuals by a system of Tax Credits

More information on: www.revenue.ie

Income Tax - Example

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

Single Person - Tax Credit €1,830Married Person - Tax Credit €3,660

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 700+• 2 bedroom apartment 750+• 3 Bedroom House 1100+• Bedsit/Studio 500+

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(Tesco Dublin – September 09)• Eggs (6) €1.42

• Chicken (Tesco - medium) €2.99• Potatoes (2.5kg) €3.39• Milk (1 litre) €0.97• Bottle wine (average) €8.49• Washing up liquid (Tesco)500ml €0.79

IRELAND

• Head of State: Mary McAleese – President

• The Dáil (Parliament) + Senate• Current Prime Minister – Brian Cowen• Coalition Government• Currency € - Euro• Time = GMT -Irish time minus1 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 (U2), theatre, cinema etc

Thank youJacqueline Wadden

EURES adviser

Dublin

Tel. 01 2043600

E-mail: jacqueline.wadden@fas.ie

FÁS activities are funded by the Irish Government and the National Training Fund