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GUESTBOOK
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European Irish
Returning to Ireland
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Employment |
Taxation |
Houses -
Buy / Rent |
Motoring
Driving, Insurance |
Education |
Services |
Cost
of Living |
Health |
WEBSITES |
- EMPLOYMENT:
Ireland had relatively high
unemployment (and emigration) up to and through the 1980's. From
early 1990's to mid-90's Ireland developed as a technology hub
for Europe, with 40% of all European software being developed in
Ireland, by 1996.
Mid 1990's a boom economy era known as the Celtic Tiger, saw
Ireland move to negative employment, where the Irish population
could not fill the nation's jobs. Salaries in the tech
sector soared, as competition for better employees
increased.
As salaries increased in this sector, and in the building
industry (see Housing), other sectors demanded similar salary
increases, while other sectors (eg. catering trade) found it
difficult to get any workers to work for the wages payable in
that sector.
When the dot com bubble burst 2001-2003, and technology stocks
took a dive, and telecom companies wordwide hit a major slump, Ireland's tech companies felt the pinch. Many
closed, others have had layoffs, or recruitment freezes. People
who left Ireland in late 1990's, returned to a different
employment market between 2000 and 2004. Had
The Celtic Tiger come to a roaring stop, or was it just purring
...
However, despite this, and a general downturn in the worldwide
high-tech industries, Ireland has seemed to weather the storm -
yes there were some multi-nationals pulling out of Ireland, but
many more stayed, and Ireland today is regarded by economists
worldwide as one of the top places to live and work.
Unemployment levels have remained low, income tax levels are
relatively low, compared to other European and Western Countries,
and The decades & centuries of emigration have begun to turn the
full-circle with immigration numbers outnumbering those leaving.
Many Irish that left in the 1950's and 60's, married and settled
abroad - the new trend is that their children are now returning to
live in Ireland.
- TAXATION
Standard Rate of income Taxation is 20%, with a Higher rate of
42%.
For full deails it is advisable to check out the excellent
website for Revenue Taxation in Ireland.
- HOUSING,
BUYING AND RENT
An average 3-bed
semi-detached house would have cost £30,000 in the late 1980's.
By 1997, this had increased to approx. £65,000.
As the ecomony hit a boom, the banks gave mortgages, at first
based on 2.5 times the salary of the primary earner, PLUS 1 time
the salary of the second earner. As the economy boomed, so too
did the second salary. And house prices became based on 2
salaries, instead of 1.
Then banks gave up to 92% mortgages, and some based mortgages up
to 4 times the primary salary, PLUS the second salary. House
prices soared with the boom in people's income, the building
developers increased prices to match demand and increased
labour/trade costs in the building industry.
Today the average 3-bed semi-detached house would cost £160,000
(€200,000) .
Rental prices has increased with the soar in the price of
housing. Expect $1,000 per month per house to rent. Bedsits and
student shared accommodation expect min. $100-$200 per week in
rent costs.
- DRIVING
If you've been
out of Ireland for a few years, then note that:
Drink driving is not tolerated
A major crack-down on speeding has seen the introduction of a
penalty points system, 2 to 4 points for a speeding offence, and
a 3-year limit of 12 points, over which a driver may be
disqualified form driving.
The penalty points system may be extended soon to include many
other traffic/motoring offences.
Car prices in Ireland are escalated by a Vehicle Registration
Taxation.
Motoring Insurance can be expensive, so it is advisable to shop
around. The differences in quotations can be considerable.
- EDUCATION
Children in
Ireland attend Primary School, from age of 4/5 to
12/13.
This is followed by 5/6 years in Post-primary school. There are
2 state examinations, "The Junior Certificate" in the
third year, and the "Leaving Certificate" in the sixth
year. Many schools have introduced a 'transition year' in the
fourth year, in which the student engages in various
extra-curricular activities.
Third Level
Education fees were abolished by the government in the late
1990's. However it is being speculated that they may be
re-introduced. Check out the list of websites of third
level colleges and check their prospectus/lists of courses.
Many colleges also have Further Education courses, and Adult
Education evening courses.
- SERVICES
Mobile Phone
Networks : Meteor, O2, Vodafone
Land line: Eircom, other organisations provide competitive call
charges, but you still need to connect to eircom, to have your
telephone line installed.
Bórd Gáis provide Natural Gas, ESB provides electricity, Oil
companies can provide home heating oil.
Most trades such as plumbers and electricians have registered
lists of certified tradespersons.
- COST OF
LIVING
Cost of Living
has increased considerably in almost every aspect of life,
especially since the transition to the Euro in January
2002. it is now believed that Ireland is now one of the
most expensive countries in which to live, in Europe.
- HEALTH
Doctor fees in
Ireland cost an average of €40. Dentist fees are similarly
priced. For specialist consultant fees expect a minimum of
€60.
Unless it is a life-threatening emergency, it is recommended to
visit a doctor for any/all illness, rather than going un-referred
to an Accident and Emergency department of one of Ireland's
hospitals. Long delays and bed-shortages are just some of the
basic expectations in A/E.
Both BUPA and VHI provide health insurance.
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