Living & Working in Ireland

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 Emigration National wage agreements English language High female participation rate

Ireland’s Demography Total Population 4.6 million Population Aged million Unemployment rate14.8%

Employment Growth The Irish Economy

Specialised high skill areas of IT Software developers (e.g. JAVA, SQL), IT security experts, network experts and IT project managers Science R&D scientists (chemists, biologists etc.), managers (clinical trials, supply chain etc.), animal nutritionists, science technicians (prototyping/development), regulation experts and multidisciplinary experts (e.g. bio-convergence, blend of science and business etc.). Sales/marketing Marketing managers with specific industry and product knowledge; multilingual telesales/customer care workers with IT skills – particularly persons proficient in Nordic languages and German; experienced sales representatives with specific product or technical knowledge (e.g. medical sales, technical sales). Opportunities – Where are jobs available?

Accountancy/ Financial Actuaries, risk experts, business analysts, senior claims handlers, fund specialists and senior accountants with specific skills; multilingual accounting clerks and debt collectors. Health and care services workers Medical practitioners (general practitioners, non-consultant hospital doctors and specialist doctors; advanced nursing practitioners (theatre nurses, and those specialising in radiology, diabetes, renal medicine and midwifery); senior therapists: occupational and speech and language; physiotherapists (niche areas e.g. paediatric disability ); medical radiographers; dentists (orthodontists). Opportunities – Where are jobs available?

Engineering and management (Mechanical design and innovation, process (pharmaceutical industry, medical devices, water purification), quality control, validation (pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors), wind energy and high voltage electrical engineering) Transport (International supply chain managers, experienced individuals with IT skills, forecasting skills, familiarity with material requirements planning (MRP) and master production scheduling (MPS), enterprise resource planning, global team management, proficiency in foreign languages, etc. More information: FÁS Quarterly Labour Market Commentary Opportunities – Where are jobs available?

Department of Social Protection Employment: 5,119 Jobs (March 2013) Services and supports to assist in your job search Learning and Upskilling Information on Living & Working in Ireland Living & Working in all the EU Countries Looking for Work in Ireland

Irish Federation of Personnel Services (IFPS ) No Charge to Jobseekers Agencies generally charge employers 12% to 20% of first year’s salary. Looking for Work in Ireland Private recruitment agencies

EURES portal {(Access ; 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)}. Internships/ Work experience in Ireland

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland is the Irish centre for the recognition of international qualifications. The Authority represents Ireland in a European network of Centres known as ENIC/NARIC (European National Information Centre/National Academic Recognition Information Centre) Qualification recognition

Know before You Go - Essential Preparation 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

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 Have somewhere to stay on arrival – Friend Know before You Go - Essential Preparation

1. Register for PPS Number – Social Security 2. Register for Tax – Tax free allowance Cert. 3. Open a Bank Account On arrival - What you need to do

PPS Number – How to apply? In your local Welfare office you need to show: Current Valid Passport or National Identity Card 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) More information on:

Introduction Letter from employer with exact details as per Passport or The letter from PPS application received back from Department of Social Protection (Social Welfare) Driving Licence or Passport Details of Irish Address – Utility Bill Opening a bank account

€8.65 per hour Please note: The minimum rate of pay changes from time to time. Details of current minimum rates are always available on Minimum wage

Tax system: PAYE = Pay As You Earn 2 rates of Tax 20% on the first €32, earned 41% on all earnings above €32, Personal tax allowances granted to individuals by a system of Tax Credits More information on: Personal Taxation

Example: INCOME TAX – Single Person Salary of €26,000 euro A single person pays 20% tax on €26,000 = €5,200 Less €1,650 tax credit = €3,550 taxable pay Single Person - Tax Credit €1,650 Married Person - Tax Credit €3,300 Income Tax – Example

The amount of PRSI you pay will depend on your earnings and the class you are insured under. There are 11 different Social Insurance Classes in Ireland. Example: for employees insured under Class A: - No social insurance if you earn less than €352 gross per week (Your employer is paying social insurance on your behalf.) - If you earn between €352 and €356 per week you will pay 4% on anything over €127 (your employer will pay 4.25% on your earnings) - If you earn more than €356 per week you will pay 4% on anything over €127 (your employer will pay 10.75% on your earnings) All individuals with an annual gross income above €10,036 are liable to pay the Universal Social Charge (2%, 4% or 7%). More information on: PRSI = Pay related Social Security

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. Renting a House or Apartment

Fully furnished € 1 bedroom apartment bedroom apartment Bedroom House Bedsit/Studio 500+ More information & apartments for rent: Average rents in Dublin per month

Eggs dozen €1.70 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 Cornflakes €3.00 Three course meal € – €50.00 Some Approximate Prices from a Typical Shopping Basket

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 Ireland

………………………. EURES adviser ………………….. ………………… Tel. Thank You