A Guide to Working and Living in Ireland
www.e-frontiers.ie
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London
e-mail: [email protected]
Madrid
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Bucharest
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CONTENTS
LIVING AND WORKING IN IRELAND................................................................. 3
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU MOVE......................................... 4
Moving to Ireland............................................................................................. 4
Opportunities................................................................................................... 4
Ireland’s IT Sector............................................................................................ 4
Other Businesses in Ireland............................................................................. 5
WORKING IN IRELAND ................................................................................. 5
What’s required before you can work in Ireland.............................................. 5
Paying Taxes.................................................................................................... 6
Entitlements..................................................................................................... 6
LIVING HERE...................................................................................................... 8
Health Care...................................................................................................... 8
Cost of Living................................................................................................... 8
Weather........................................................................................................... 8
Getting Around................................................................................................. 8
Arriving at Dublin Airport.................................................................................. 9
HEALTH AND EDUCATION................................................................................ 9
Coming to Ireland with Family......................................................................... 9
Schools.......................................................................................................... 10
GETTING TO KNOW US...................................................................................11
Céad Míle Fáilte - A hundred thousand welcomes.........................................11
Sport...............................................................................................................11
BRINGING PETS.............................................................................................. 12
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LIVING AND WORKING IN IRELAND
Moving to a new country raises lots of questions and making
the decision to re-locate can be daunting. Being informed of
some facts about Ireland can dispel some of those doubts
and help in making the final decision somewhat easier.
This booklet has been written by our recruitment consultants,
some with first-hand experience of having relocated
themselves.
It aims to answer some of the questions often asked about
re-locating to Ireland.
In providing you with this information we hope we can help
you along your journey in making that move.
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WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW BEFORE YOU
MOVE
Moving to Ireland
There are two great reasons for moving to
Ireland. Great job opportunities and the stability
that the abundance of jobs brings and the other
reason is, Ireland is a very welcoming country.
It’s people are renowned worldwide for their
friendliness, and English is the main language
spoken which makes it attractive for big
multinational companies.
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Opportunities
The work environment in Ireland is based on your
skill competencies.
There are many opportunities available for
experienced people and you’ll be greeted
with encouragement to further develop those
skills. For those less skilled, there are also
opportunities to develop your potential, having
clear motivations and knowing your strengths to
guide you.
Ireland’s IT Sector
Ireland has become a global technology hub
of choice when it comes to attracting business
activities of ICT companies. This has earned
Ireland the reputation for being the heart of ICT in
Europe, it also attracts IT talent from Europe and
further destinations around the world.
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It is also a hub for some major multi-national
coprporations across IT, Financial and
Pharmaceutical.
Other Businesses in Ireland
Ireland has been voted “one of the best places
in the world to do business” (Forbes), even if
you are not an IT professional but you want to
progress in your career you can take advantage
of the opportunities available across different
sectors.
WORKING IN IRELAND
What’s required before you
can work in Ireland
To obtain your PPS number you will need to visit
your local Social Welfare office and provide proof
of your address, and identification (passport).
Find your local social welfare office
www.welfare.ie
Once you have a PPS number you will then need
to apply for a Certificate of Tax Credits. You can
download a form 12A from www.revenue.ie or
visit your local revenue office.
Find your local revenue office here
http://www.revenue.ie/en/contact/dublin-region.
html#section4
A Certificate of Tax Credits will ensure that you
are taxed at the correct rate and your employer
can calculate your take-home pay.
Upon your arrival in Ireland it is essential that
you register yourself for the Irish tax system and
obtain a PPS (Personal Public Service) number.
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Ha’penny Bridge Dublin
Paying Taxes
Entitlements
Tax on income (PAYE - Pay As You Earn) is
deducted from your salary by your employer on
behalf of the Irish Government. The amount of
tax you pay is based on annual earnings.
Contract of Employment
An additional tax - The Universal Social Charge
(USC) is charged on gross income before any
pension contributions or PRSI (Pay Related
Social Insurance) is deducted.
Average Working Week
Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
contributions go to the Social Insurance Fund
which contributes to Social Welfare benefits and
pensions.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_
tax/tax/income_tax/how_your_tax_is_calculated.
html
Useful links
taxcalc.ie/budget-2016
http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/socialsecurityrightsireland.pdf
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Every employee is entitled to receive a written
statement outlining the terms and conditions of
employment.
The average working week in Ireland is 40 hours
per week. Employees are entitled to a 30 minute
break for every 4 hours worked.
https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/What_You_
Should_Know/Working_Hours/
Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to 20 days annual leave.
Some employers offer more than the average
annual leave as part of agreed packages.
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Sick Leave
Employees are not entitled to receive payment for
days off sick. It is however at the discretion of the
employer to decide their own policy on sick pay
and sick leave, subject to the employee’s contract
or terms of employment.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/
employment_rights_and_conditions/
Public Holidays
Employees are entitled to 9 public holidays per
year. If an employee has to work on the day of
the public holiday then they are entitled to either,
payment for that day or receive a day off in lieu of
the public holiday.
Ireland Public Holidays (Republic of Ireland public
holidays may differ from Northern Ireland)
New Year’s Day (1 January)
St. Patrick’s Day (17 March)
Easter Monday (moveable date annually)
First Monday in May, June, August (these may
differ for Northern Ireland)
• Last Monday in October
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• St. Stephen’s Day (26 December)
•
•
•
•
Good Friday (the Friday prior to Easter Monday)
is not a public holiday. While some businesses
close on that day, there is no automatic
entitlement to time off work on that day.
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Roxana Sandu with her son while living in Ireland
LIVING HERE
cost of living, housing indicators, and health care.
Cost of Living Comparisons:
Health Care
numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
expatistan.com/cost-of-living/
Being in possession of the European Health
Insurance Card entitles you to hospital care only.
(EHIC - health insurance scheme administered
by another state in the EU/EEA or Switzerland).
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_
recreation/travel_abroad/e111.html
Weather
Cost of Living
Comparing cost of living with other countries
could cause a long discussion here depending on
where you have previously lived. We’ve opted to
provide some resources where you can calculate
these comparisons.
Numbeo is the world’s largest database of user
contributed data about cities and countries
worldwide. Numbeo provides current and timely
information on world living conditions including
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The climate of Ireland is mild, moist and
changeable with it’s good share of rainfall. But
never too hot or too cold. January and February
are the coldest months of the year, averaging
4°C to 7 °C (39.2 and 44.6 °F). July and August
are the warmest while not nearly matching
temperatures of other European countries, you
can expect temperatures of between 17 to 20°C
(62.6 to 68°F). It’s always a good idea to carry an
umbrella, raincoat or a casual hoodie.
Getting Around
Ireland is small in comparison to some of it’s
European neighbouring countries and its’
cities are not too big either, although you’ll find
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everything that bigger cities provide for, including
entertainment and with great places to eat.
Taxi fares from Dublin Airport to City Centre cost
Dublin city transport infrastructure includes bus,
light rail (Dart) and tram (Luas) or you can always
take a Dublin bike. If you want to get out of the
city for a few hours or a weekend that’s easy too.
The coast is easy accessible by Dart lines from
the city centre.
HEALTH AND
EDUCATION
It’s closeness to Europe makes it a good place to
travel to other European countries and the UK by
air or ferry.
Arriving at Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport is located 10km north of the city
centre and is a 30 minute bus journey. It is also
easy accessible to the M50 and M1 motorways.
Several bus services, including Dublin Bus,
Airlink and Aircoach connects the airport to parts
of Dublin and the city centre.
approx. €24
Coming to Ireland with Family
For those with families, there’s an excellent
education system, parks and art and culture.
Most children in Ireland start their first-level
education in primary schools (also called National
schools) at the age of four or five years of age.
The school term runs from September to the end
of June.
The primary school cycle is eight years in
duration from Junior Infants to sixth class.
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Schools
National Schools
To enroll your child in a national primary school,
you should first check the list of primary schools
in the area in which you live or plan to live http://
www.education.ie/en/find-a-school.
Contact the school of your choice to check
availability. The school of your choice may place
your child on a waiting list or you may need to
contact other schools to find a place.
http://www.education.ie
Educate Together
Educate Together is the patron body of the
growing network of schools in Ireland that are
run according to the Educate Together Charter.
It guarantees equality of access and esteem
to children “irrespective of their social, cultural
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or religious background”, are learner centered
in their approach to education and are run
as participatory democracies, with respectful
partnership between parents, pupils and
teachers.
https://www.educatetogether.ie/
Prior to starting primary school
Creche and Montessori schools are available.
Fees will vary.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/
pre_school_education_and_childcare/your_child-
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National Sports: Hurling and Gaelic Football
care_options.html
Sport
GETTING TO KNOW US
Just like the Irish culture, sport clubs across
Ireland big or small carry a sense of community.
All sports played in Ireland no matter what your
skills level will always welcome new members.
Soccer is the most played team sport in Ireland.
Gaelic football, hurling, golf, rugby, cycling,
swimming and billiards/snooker are just some of
the other sporting activities with the highest levels
of playing participation in the Republic of Ireland.
Céad Míle Fáilte - A hundred
thousand welcomes
Ireland has its own language, Gaelic, although
not widely spoken. Cead Mile Failte, that’s how
you’ll be welcomed in Ireland, it’s people are
welcoming to all. There’s great “Craic” to be had,
with great nightlife, entertainment and pubs. Irish
pubs are full of cheer, laughter and great big
creamy pints of Guinness.
Hurling and Gaelic football
Hurling and Gaelic football are amateur sports
but would be considered Ireland’s most popular
sports in terms of attendance. A country-wide
system of local clubs maintains clubhouses and
playing fields and acts as one of the key social
centres for community activities.
GAA’s (Gaelic Athletic Assoc.) http://www.gaa.ie
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Soccer
Soccer in Ireland had many different levels from
underage right up to league of Ireland which is
semi professinal. Local teams are purely amateur
football at inter-town level. Typically, each county
has its own league with numerous local teams
competing against each other.
Rugby
Rugby Union is played and supported throughout
Ireland, but is especially popular in cities and
urban are as such as Dublin, Limerick and Cork.
Rugby Union is played at club, province and
national levels.
Golf
There are over 300 golf courses across Ireland.
Each attracts a membership of many hundreds,
and visitors and most are open to non-members.
The standard of greens and fairway maintenance
is extremely high and most of the courses earn
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the coveted “Championship” designation. The
major Irish tournament on the international circuit
is the Irish Open, which attracts thousands of
enthusiasts to watch the pros do their thing.
BRINGING PETS
Pets are also welcome with plenty of green areas
for walking (but don’t forget the poop-scoop, we
like to keep things green and clean). If you’re
considering bring your pretty little kittie or doggie
with you, here’s some helpful links.
agriculture.gov.ie/pets/
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/
dogmicrochipping/
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/