- Chapter 3 -
ARRIVAL IN IRELAND - THE FIRST FEW HOURS
Clearing Immigration Control
The vast majority of people arriving in Ireland do so at Dublin or Cork International Airports. Just about everything is well signposted and finding your way around isn't too difficult. If you are overawed or feel lost, just follow the crowd.
The procedure involves clearing Immigration Control first, then on to collect your luggage with the finale being a walk through a corridor of Customs officials. If your papers are in order, you're visibly in good health, not carrying anything illegal in your luggage and don't look like you're hiding something, then you have nothing to fear. This process should be a formality taking just under an hour to complete.
As you get off the plane, look up toward the ceiling to spot the signs pointing to Immigration Control.
When its your turn at the counter of an Immigration Control official you will need to present your passport and an Incoming Passenger Card (or Advanced Passenger Clearance Card). This latter card should be given to you on the plane shortly before landing. These documents will be returned to you after immigration processing.
Depending on your visa and accompanying story, you may be asked for further information such as proof of funds, return ticket if necessary, accommodation details, work arrangements, all of which will be related to your visa stipulations. For the vast majority of people this encounter is a mere formality.
- Chapter 4 -
OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT
The reality is…
It is not easy to open a bank account in Ireland if you are a foreign national. It is an experience that stays with some people for a long time. Too often it is an unpleasant introduction to the Irish way of doing things. Whatever happens, do not lose your temper with the staff at a bank under any circumstances - it will only make things worse. Having an Irish (or EU) passport makes it much easier. If you're in the country on a visa, then prepare yourself for a little challenge. Of course you could just get lucky, but what follows is of interest no matter your visa/passport situation.
Apparently none of the banks have any written procedure on how foreign nationals are to go about opening an Irish bank account, so don't even ask for a brochure on this subject from any bank. It appears that there is no set list of criteria to judge applicants by either. Each applicant is judged on their individual merits, such as nationality, work authorisation, location, bank references, financial history, employment status, employment history, cash on hand and likely size of the account to be maintained. Even appearance and linguistic ability or accent can make a difference. Some financial institutions will not consider applicants who haven't lived in Ireland for less than a year.
- Chapter 5 -
FINDING A PERMANENT HOME IN IRELAND
It is highly likely that you will first want to rent a new home in Ireland before you buy a property. This would be a prudent approach until you know much more about your new environment and are comfortable before laying out a lot of money. Consequently the bulk of this chapter is dedicated to the rental market and renting procedures in Ireland.
On a small crowded island like Ireland, space comes at a premium and especially so in the cities. Building materials in Ireland are surprisingly affordable, so what people are paying for is the land that any building stands on. It is economic sense then that many homes in Ireland are of one floor at street level and another floor (usually where the bedrooms are) is above that. Triple storied houses and townhouses aren't that uncommon either in the urban areas.
Very few children in Ireland grow up in a home that has a backyard big enough for them to play in. Most local authorities are tasked to provide safe and acceptable play areas or public parks for the people living in their vicinity. Consequently Irish parks are of a good standard, except in some inner city areas.
A typical Irish dwelling in a city, whether it is a flat (apartment or unit) or house, is smaller than most comparable properties around the world. Rooms sometimes have just enough space to fit the bare necessities in them. Baths are on the small side, but most bathrooms are equipped with shower fittings attached to the bath. Finding a detached house in the city centres is a rarity. Most city centre homes are flats or terraced homes of at least 2 stories. The further out of the city centres you travel, the more affordable property becomes and larger (generally) too. This is offset by the cost of travel and time commuting to work involved.
- Chapter 6 -
HEALTHCARE IN IRELAND - FREE AND NOT
If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national or if you are normally resident in Ireland, you are entitled to receive the same level of health care as Irish citizens. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for a medical card, which entitles you to the full range of medical services at no cost.
You would be regarded as normally resident in Ireland if you satisfy your Health Service Executive (HSE) Area that it is your intention to remain in Ireland for "a minimum of one year".
If you are not from an EU/EEA member State or considered normally resident, you will be entitled to certain services free of charge and you will have to pay for the remainder.
In addition to the state-run public health system, people in Ireland can take up a range of private health care services. You must pay the full costs of treatment if you opt for private health care.
- Chapter 7 -
SCHOOLING FOR CHILDREN AND FURTHER EDUCATION
Ninety percent of all Irish children take part in secondary education and an impressive 50% go on to third-level (tertiary) education. Many changes and improvements have been made to the Irish educational system over recent years.
At primary and secondary level, there are more multi-denominational and co-educational schools than in the past. You can also choose from schools that teach the curriculum through the medium of the Irish language (Gaelscoileanna) or from those that teach modern European languages to children from a very young age.
State-funded education is available at all levels, so you will not have to pay fees unless you choose to send your child to a private school or college. Third-level options have also improved and there are a number of alternative practical routes that lead to advanced qualifications if the traditional academic path is not appropriate. Facilities have also improved for adults who wish to return to education on a full- or part-time basis.
- Chapter 8 -
EMPLOYMENT IN IRELAND - FINDING A JOB
The state of play as an immigrant
The Irish labour market is very competitive. The rate at which people change jobs is lower than in countries such as America and Britain. How quickly you are able to find a suitable job depends on a number of factors:
- which part of Ireland you live in
- economic conditions prevailing nationally and locally
- the overall demand for your particular skills and/or qualifications
- the number vacancies in your industry nationally and locally
- your skills, qualifications, experience and their recognition by the relevant Irish organisations
- your ability to find job opportunities and to position yourself so that jobs find you
- your skill at using your CV to market yourself
- your ability to interview well
- your ability to retain a position, perform well in it and to build your prospects from there
With the last five points above you have much more influence over, so concentrate on doing those well and quickly.
Having been given permission to migrate to Ireland does not guarantee a job. Think of it instead as having been told that you are eligible to compete in the Irish labour market. Be prepared for a scenario of it taking some time to find work in Ireland. It would be much easier for you (and your dependants) if you or your partner have work of some kind lined up waiting for you when you do arrive in Ireland.
- Chapter 9 -
TAX AND FINANCE MATTERS IN IRELAND
Tax and Starting Work in Ireland (PAYE)
Employees in Ireland pay tax through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system. This means that your employer deducts the tax you owe directly from your wages, and pays this tax directly to the Revenue Commissioners who collect taxes from citizens on behalf of the Irish Government.
To ensure that your tax is dealt with properly from the start and that your new employer deducts the right amount of tax from your pay. To ensure that this happens, you will need to do two things:
1) Give your employer your PPS number (formerly known as your RSI No.). This number is your unique personal identification number for public services in Ireland. Your employer will then let your tax office know that you have started work and that they are your employers.
2) Apply for a certificate of tax credits. You will need to complete an application form to do this (called Form 12A which is available online via: http://www.revenue.ie/publications/curntfms/form12a.pdf . You can ask your employer for a form 12A and they will let you know which tax office your completed form should be sent to. If your employer does not have a form 12A, you can get one from any tax office in Ireland or by calling the taxman's enquiry service.
To ensure that your employer and the tax office have time to have everything sorted out before your first pay-day, it is advisable to do all this as soon as you accept an offer of employment - even for part-time or holiday employment. Your own personal circumstances determines the amount of tax credits you are entitled to. The tax office will forward you a detailed statement of your tax credits. Your employer will also be notified of your tax credits.
These 'tax credits' are the part of your income on which you are not liable for tax. Thus, you do not pay tax on all of your income and you can earn a certain amount of income before you begin to pay tax. Tax credits consist of various allowances and reliefs which you may be able to claim, depending on your circumstances. Every individual can claim a personal allowance and you can claim relief for items such as private health insurance premiums, mortgage interest etc. Details of all the main allowances and reliefs (including the amount due for the current year) are given on the explanatory leaflet issued to you each year from the Revenue Commissioners with your certificate of tax credits. This information is also available from your tax office or online from the website of the Revenue Commissioners.
- Chapter 10 -
THE IRISH WEATHER
The Facts
People the world over have a very negative impression of Ireland's weather. In parts of Ireland this perception is warranted. Many people think it rains every day in Ireland and when it is not raining it is snowing. The variance in weather for such a small island is somewhat surprising. The facts make for interesting reading.
The average temperature range in Ireland varies from 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) in winter to 24 Celsius (75 Fahrenheit) in summer. Occasional winters see the daily high fall below freezing in places, whilst in some summers the daily high can reach the mid-30s Celsius. The warm Atlantic Gulfstream current coming up from the Caribbean tempers the Irish climate to such an extent that the weather is less extreme than other cities at the same latitude. Continental Europe suffers much more severe winters compared to Ireland.
INSIDER INFO: You can find palm trees growing in places on the west coast of Ireland. These are from seeds washed up by the Gulfstream, but are still able to flourish.
- Chapter 11 -
THE FACTS AND FUGURES ABOUT IRELAND
Background: A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for the 26 southern counties; the six northern counties (Ulster) remained part of Great Britain. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have co-operated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, approved in 1998, has not yet been implemented.
Geography
Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Geographic co-ordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W
Area:
total: 70,280 sq km
land: 68,890 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
This sample is but an example of the style, format and content contained throughout the guide. Remember that the really useful information will obviously never appear on this sample page.This is the only up-to-date guide in existence that helps you achieve a successful relocation to Ireland.
Feel free to visit the "Testimonials page" to see what other people like you have had to say about "How to arrive and thrive in Ireland".
You can get your copy of the guide now at the 'Order Page' by clicking here.
Copyright © 2005 - 2010 Vaughan Vandenberg.
All rights reserved worldwide.
