Living and working in Ireland

At a Glance

Ireland is renowned throughout the world for its culture and heritage and is a major destination for tourists, especially from the US and Europe. It is home to writers such as Joyce, Beckett and Wilde, the world famous Abbey and Gate theatres, musicians U2 and The Script and two World Heritage sites - Brú na Boinne and Skellig Michael, not forgetting the Guinness Brewery.

The landscape of Ireland has something for everyone, from modern, trendy cities to quaint, country villages. Lush green rolling hillsides contrast with beautiful golden beaches.

With a maximum length of 486 km and a width of 280 km, it’s relatively easy to explore the whole country.

The population of the Republic of Ireland is estimated to be 4.5 million. It has undergone a massive transformation in infrastructure in the past 15 years and now boasts an excellent road and rail network across the country.

Due to its incredible growth during the recent ‘Celtic Tiger’ era, Ireland was one of the countries most affected by the worldwide economic collapse. In response, the Irish
Government’s stringent fiscal policy – now being replicated in countries across the western world – helped the country come out of recession in the first half of 2010 and set it on the return path to growth.

 

Tax and Insurance

Income tax, PRSI and the Universal Levy

Ireland has one of the lowest rates of personal tax in the EU. As of 1 January 2011, a single person in Ireland pays Income Tax (PAYE) at 20% on the first €32,800 they earn and at 41% on anything above that. They would also get a Personal Tax Credit of €1,830 and a PAYE (Pay As You Earn) Tax Credit of €1,830.

As well as Income Tax, you can also expect to pay the Universal Levy (introduced in Ireland in January 2011) as well as a PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) charge that are based on your gross salary.

If your gross salary is €40,000 you should take home €30,333 after income tax, PRSI and the universal levy are applied. This does not include any benefits-in-kind (e.g. car allowance) your employer is providing to you, which will affect this net result.

For a full list of tax credits and more information, please go to: www.revenue.ie (this link will open a new window)

Health insurance

In Ireland the PPS Number (Personal Public Service Number) is a personal reference number that allows you to gain access to social welfare benefits and services in Ireland. Without a PPS number you will not be able to get a job or any state Benefits. It is used for Taxation purposes too. You also need a PPS number to get an Irish driving licence.

You cannot apply for a PPS Number before you move to Ireland. You must be already living in Ireland in order to get your PPS Number. The nearest Social Welfare office will assist you with the registration process. You will be asked to produce evidence of identity and residence in Ireland. If you are not Irish, you will need to produce the following documents when getting a PPS number: a) Your passport or national identity card Or Your Immigration Card b) Evidence of your Irish address, such as a household bill (ESB, telephone, gas, etc.) in your name.

For more information you can phone the Department of Social and Family Affairs at 00 353 (0) 1704 3236

Work permits

If you are a citizen of an EEA country (European Economic Area), you have automatic permission to work in Ireland. If you are not, you may need to apply for an employment permit.

Personal public service number

If you want to work in Ireland, you will need a Personal Public Service (PPS) number. Your PPS number is a unique reference number which your employer uses to make the required tax and social insurance contributions on your behalf. You also use your PPS number when accessing social welfare and health benefits.

Banking

It’s best to open an Irish bank account in person, rather than by correspondence from abroad. In fact, most Irish banks will insist on seeing you in person before they will open an account for you. Try and choose one close to where you will be working so it’s handy if you need to pop in at lunchtime.

It’s also sensible to keep an account open in the country you’re leaving to deal with final bills and unexpected expenses and in case you return there in the future.

You must be aged at least 18 and provide two forms of identification (including one with a photograph, such as a passport) plus proof of residence in Ireland (e.g. a recent utility bill) if applicable.

Credit rating is calculated differently in Ireland from other countries and you should supply as much information as possible about your financial status in your present country of residence. If you’re leaving a country where credit rating is important, such as the USA, and to which you may return later, it’s worth asking your bank or credit card company if you can maintain a credit card rating while resident abroad, as credit cards invoiced in Europe won’t show in credit records in the USA. The Irish Credit Bureau (ICB) is a private company operating a credit referencing system. For a small fee you may have access to your own file and challenge or request clarification of any details you believe to be incorrect or potentially misleading.

Banks in Ireland

ulsterbank.ie
bankofireland.com
aib.ie
permanenttsb.ie
accbank.ie
nationalirishbank.ie
irishnationwide.ie

Holidays

Annual leave

The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 provides for a basic annual paid leave entitlement of four weeks, although an employee’s contract could give greater rights.

Public holidays

There are nine public holidays in Ireland each year. Public holidays in Ireland (as in other countries) may commemorate a special day or other event, for example, St Patrick’s Day (17 March) or Christmas Day (25 December). On a public holiday, sometimes called a bank holiday, most businesses and schools close. Other services, for example, public transport still operate but often with restricted schedules. The list of public holidays in Ireland each year is as follows:

• New Year’s Day (1 January)
• St. Patrick’s Day (17 March)
• Easter Monday
• First Monday in May, June, August
• Last Monday in October
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• St. Stephen’s Day (26 December)

Cities

The biggest concentration of multinational corporations can be found in Ireland's four main cities – Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. Here’s an overview of each of these:

Dublin

Dublin, as the capital city, is a dynamic business location with a well-developed road, rail and air access infrastructure. It is a vibrant city with a population of over a million rising to 1,684,462 within a 60km radius. The city is host to a cluster of major world-class companies in the Financial Services, Life Sciences, ICT, International Services and IT sectors. Companies located there include Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Facebook.

Dublin is renowned for its architectural significance from the earliest Viking settlements to Georgian squares, and combined with the effects of its economic revival, the city is now a vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis. Guinness is brewed at its home in St James’s Gate and the GAA Gaelic sports association has their headquarters at the magnificent Croke Park stadium. The city lies around Dublin Bay and in turn is surrounded by the Dublin and Wicklow Hills, which affords the full spectrum of outdoor and leisure pursuits.

Cork

Cork is the commercial and industrial capital of the South West region with a population of 190,384 people rising to 490,635 within a 60km radius. Cork City is located four miles from Cork International Airport. There are 132 global companies employing 21,068 people in Cork City and County.

Multinational companies located here include Avery Dennison. Siemens Group, the Marriott Group, McAfee, VMware, CITGO and Amazon. Cork presents excellent residential options including corporate housing and apartments at very reasonable rates.
Activities include water sports, horse riding and racing, tennis, rugby, soccer and Gaelic football. There are miles of spectacular coastline within a 20-minute drive from the city.

Galway

Galway, the fastest growing city in Ireland, has a population of 72,414, with the population rising to 296,000 within a 60km radius. Galway is one hour from Shannon International Airport and three hours from Dublin which combined provide ready access to US, UK and Europe. Overseas companies in Galway include Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Tyco, Hewlett-Packard, Nortel, Cisco Systems,
SAP and Fidelity.

Galway is world-renowned for its lifestyle and leisure activities, which include its annual horse racing, arts, oyster and literary festivals. It is a major tourist centre and the gateway to Connemara – a district in the west of Ireland, whose natural terrain and unspoilt environment offers visitors a real taste of the Emerald Isle.

Limerick

Limerick, Ireland’s third largest city has a population of 90,000, rising to 450,000 within a 60 km radius. Limerick is readily accessible by air, road, rail and port. The city is just 20 minutes drive from Shannon International Airport. ICT, Life Sciences, International Services and Engineering and Consumer Products are important sectors for overseas
investment in the area.

Companies operating in these sectors include Dell, Analog Devices, Kostal, Aughinish, Alumina, Stryker, Vistakon and Cook Medical. Limerick is famed for its love of sport, especially rugby where it is considered by many to be the ‘home of the spirit of rugby’.

Transport

Airports

There are nine airports in Ireland:

• Dublin: dublinairport.com
• Cork: corkairport.com
• Shannon: shannonairport.com
• Knock: irelandwestairport.com
• Kerry: kerryairport.com
• Galway: galwayairport.com
• Waterford: waterfordairport.ie
• Donegal: donegalairport.ie
• Sligo: sligoairport.com

Airlines

The following airlines fly in and out of these airports on a regular basis:

• Aer Lingus: aerlingus.com
• Ryanair: ryanair.com
• Rail and bus

Ireland is served by an excellent modern rail and bus service – details of which can be found at irishrail.ie and buseireann.ie respectively.

Renting Accommodation

You can look for private rented accommodation through local newspapers, real estate agencies or websites. It is common for people who have not met before to rent a house together and to share the cost of bills. Prices of rental accommodation vary depending on what part of Ireland  you wish to rent in, with Dublin being the most expensive.

For the most recent price guide view the report on rent prices in Ireland (link opens new window)

Useful websites: daft.ie, rent.ie, myhome2let.ie

Entertainment and Leisure

Nightlife

International and local music, comedy and theatre, top restaurants, bars and nightclubs – Ireland has it all and more. If you like to get out and sample the nightlife, there is something for everyone, throughout the week.

Sport

Generally speaking, Irish people are big sports enthusiasts. From soccer and GAA to golf and rugby and everything in between, sport is the basis for many social gatherings in the country, whether it’s playing or spectating.

Culture

Around the country, especially in the cities, you will find many museums and art galleries. A wide range of festivals and events are on throughout the year including the following:

(the links in this section will open a new window)

Dublin
International Film Festival – second half of February

Nationwide
St. Patrick’s Day festival – 17th March

Dublin
Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People,– Middle of May

Kilkenny
Comedy Festival – first week of June

Dublin
Oxegen Music Festival – 2nd weekend in July

Galway
Arts Festival – Mid July

Tralee
Rose of Tralee Festival – 3rd week of August

Laois
Electric Picnic Music Festival – first weekend in September

Rural locations
National Ploughing Championships – 3rd week of September

Galway
Oyster Festival – last week of September

Cork
Jazz Festival – last week of October

Cork
Film Festival – 2nd week of November

Historic sites

Ireland is steeped in history and littered with evidence of ancient Celtic civilisations, Viking invaders and Norman castles. Some of the most celebrated tourist attractions include

County Meath
Bru na Boinne, Newgrange

County Clare
The Burren, Glendalough

County Wicklow,
The Wicklow Mountains

County Cork
The Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle

County Kerry
Lakes of Killarney and the Ring of Kerry

County Clare
Cliffs of Moher

County Limerick
Bunratty Castle

Below is a list of some useful websites that provide information on how to keep yourself entertained whilst you’re living in Ireland.

General entertainment & Sport
entertainment.ie
ticketmaster.ie
rte.ie

Sightseeing
discoverireland.ie

Getting to know people

Moving to any foreign country takes some getting used to – there is always a transition period where you might find it difficult to meet new people. Fortunately most Irish people you will meet are out-going and friendly.

The quickest way to get to know the local people in Ireland is through work. Irish people are very sociable and get-togethers after office hours are very common – whether that’s a trip to the local pub on a Friday evening or getting out of the office for lunch mid-week. Coffee shops are also very popular as the nation has developed into serious coffee drinkers.