Ireland

1. Ireland Living and Working

3. 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.

5. Young highly educated workforce Immigration & Irish returnees Emigration National wage agreements English language High female participation rate Labour Market Factors

6. Total Population 4.4 million Population Aged 15+ 3.8 million Employment 2.1 million Unemployment rate 12.5% Ireland’s Demography

7. the Irish Economy is Changing… Employment Growth 1998-2009

8. Unemployment Rising Rapidly

9. Notified Vacancies Falling …..

10. Jan-May Vacancies

11. Opportunities – Skills and Labour Shortages • Software Engineers (with experience in networks and specific software applications (e.g. Java). • Accountants (with expertise in regulation, compliance and risk) • Actuaries • Marketing Managers (with considerable experience) • Technical Sales Representatives with knowledge of particular products/services • Scientists (highly qualified and experienced professionals and technicians) • IT specialists with fluent foreign language skills • Engineers (experienced design and process engineers for manufacturing subsectors)

12. Opportunities – Skills and Labour Shortages • Sales Assistants (i.e. shops) • Clerical (office work, accounts) • Caring (health care, child care, elder care) • Catering (Chefs, waiters, fast food) • Hairdressing • Security (shops, office, factories) • Health sector (e.g. Doctors and Nurses)

13. More information: www.fas.ie FÁS Quarterly Labour Market Commentary Job Opportunities in the Down-Turn Occupational Employment Forecasts 2012 Engineering, Computing, scientific, Medical, Legal and Financial Professionals

14. 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 Know before You GoEssential Preparation

15. 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 www.hostelbookers.comwww.hosteldublin.com Know before You GoEssential Preparation

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

17. www.fas.ie Employment: 2,891 Jobs (February 2009) *5,300 Jobs (September 2008) - Training Courses CV on line www.eures.europa.eu Living & Working in all the EU Countries Looking Work in Ireland FÁS – The Training & Employment Authority

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

19. www.leargas.ie www.ie.aiesec.org/AI www.gradireland.com www.iaeste.ie EURES portal {(Access www.eures.europa.eu ; 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

20. Irish Government www.gov.ie Citizens Information www.citizensinformation.ie Irish Times: www.irish-times.com Irish Independent: www.independent.ie Sunday Business Post: www.sbpost.ie Irish Examiner: www.examiner.ie Some Useful Web Sites

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

22. PPS Number A PPS (Personal Public Service) Number is your unique reference number. This PPS Number will help you to access benefits and information from public service agencies more quickly and more easily. This includes services such as Social Welfare, Revenue, Public Healthcare and Education. More information on: www.welfare.ie

23. In your local Welfare office you need to show: Current Valid Passport or National Identity Cardand Evidence of either birth /work /unemployment /residency /tax liability /education 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) PPS Number – How to apply?

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

25. €8.65 per hour Please note: The minimum rate of pay increases from time to time. Details of current minimum rates are always available from the Employment Rights Information Unit or on the Department’s website www.entemp.ie Minimum Wage

26. Tax system: PAYE = Pay As You Earn 2 rates of Tax 20% on the first €36,400.00 earned 41% on all earnings above €36,400.00 Personal tax allowances granted to individuals by a system of Tax Credits More information on: www.revenue.ie Personal Taxation

27. Income Tax - Example Single Person - Tax Credit €1,830 Married Person - Tax Credit €3,660 Example: INCOME TAX – Single Person Salary of €26,000 euro A single person pays 20% tax on €26,000 =€5,200 Less €1,830 tax credit =€3370 taxable pay

28. PRSI = Pay related Social Security No payment on first €127.00 of earnings On a basic salary the social security deduction is 4% on earnings over €127 A health contribution of 2% is deducted from all income More information on: www.welfare.ie Social Security

29. Housing situation 45% Owned outright 35% Owned but with a mortgage 18% Rented (private/local) Accommodation - Rough Guide

30. Fully furnished € 1 bedroom apartment 700+ 2 bedroom apartment 750+ 3 Bedroom House 1100+ Bedsit/Studio 500+ Average rents in Dublinper month

31. 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

32. Eggs (6) €1.42 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 Some Approximate Prices from a Typical Shopping Basket(Tesco Dublin – September 09)

33. Head of State: Mary McAleese – President The Dáil (Parliament) + Senate Current Prime Minister – Brian Cowen Coalition Government Currency € - Euro Time = GMT -Irish time minus1 hour IRELAND

34. 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

35. Thank you Jacqueline Wadden EURES adviser Dublin Tel. 01 2043600 E-mail: jacqueline.wadden@fas.ie FÁS activities are funded by the Irish Government and the National Training Fund