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Living overseas

Can someone please tell me about the Republic of Ireland

146 replies

amillionyears · 14/09/2012 11:00

Dont want to say too many personal details.
If someone was offered a 3 year job there,is it wise to take it bearing in mind the financial climate. Also,I am confused about which healthcare is free and which is not.
And is there anything else to consider.The person offering the job said to think carefully before accepting.
I tried looking in search as I thought this topic may have been discussed fairly recently,but I cant see where.Thanks.

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TakingTheStairs · 14/09/2012 11:05

The healthcare is free if you earn under a certain level.

This website has more information

If it is a three year fixed term contract then you need to check that you're covered under the terms of your contract like you would for any country.

I'm from Ireland so if you have any other specific questions I'd be happy to help. Post them here or PM me

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renaldo · 14/09/2012 11:39

healthcare is not free but comprehensive health insurance is not very expensive and should be part of you package
schools are good and free (ish)

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andypandypuddle · 15/09/2012 20:16

We recently moved here with 4 children 6 months ago from England and tbh I absolutely loathe it :-((..

Many reasons really - feel like progression has by-passed this country completely. I disagree about the schools too. I have found the shift from the Uk curriculum to be very difficult as a parent. Schools have no money here. HUGE class sizes, no facilities, absolutely no playbased activity whatsoever in the early years and the teaching methods basically just rote learning from books !!

Health care dire, customer services and retail just dreadful..

Wish I could be more positive but I can't.... I would move back in a heart beat...

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Traceymac2 · 16/09/2012 11:12

I have lived in the ROI for 6 yrs and now have 3 young children. It has taken a long time to adjust but I finally have settled and am happy here. I lived in Dublin initially, found it really rough, but i lived in the centre which was a mistake. I now live in Galway which I much prefer. The pace of life slower and the people very friendly and welcoming.

I agree with Andypandy re progression but I think that this is more of an issue with the generation before mine, unfortunately many of these people have yet to retire which can cause issues at work. I am in the public sector where this is rife and outrageous behaviour seems to be accepted and tolerated from ageing management.

I have found the younger working generation to be very professional. My dh is working for a large American multi-national and he doesn't experience such issues.

You do need health insurance which will cost perhaps 1300 euros per adult per year. My dh gets ours as part of his employment package.

While public referrals for output care are free you could wait 2 years to be seen. Privately it's wks, you still pay a fee but you can claim much of it back through your insurance and 20% back on tax of the outstanding each yr.

Currently you pay 130 euro on prescriptions each month then the rest are free through the drugs payment scheme. This generally isn't covered by insurance but again you can claim 20% back. Gp visits are 50 euro a pop but we can claim 40 back through insurance then a small bit through tax.

I have many relatives who are teachers and I haven't found the education system to be any worse than the uk. Not sure about Dublin but class sizes are smaller where I live. I have a choice of 5 different primary schools where I live, the smaller rural ones only have 12 in a class.

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Traceymac2 · 16/09/2012 11:15

The 130 for prescriptions is per family or as an individual if you are single.

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SummerRain · 16/09/2012 11:27

No offense, but considering the amount of Irish having to leave home and move to the far side of the world yo find employment, ot would be nice if companies tried hiring within the country. Do you know why your prospective employer chose not to?

Ireland is difficult unless you have money. Dublin is shellfish yo live on, cork and Galway better bit you need decent incomes (preferably two) to be comfortable.

Gp visits and prescriptions cost money. So does hospital treatment but unlike America you won't be turned away, just asked to pay at a later date.

Schools are very different, not much SN support, we pay for books, one teacher per 20/30 pupils (my elder two are in a combined room of three classes, 31 pupils across a 4 year age range with one teacher), shorter school days than UK and more holidays.. You'll have to give serious consideration to childcare costs. Breakfast clubs and afterschool aren't as common as in the UK.

Infrastructure is appalling, bad roads, patchy phone reception and no broadband in some areas.

Your basic bills like phone, electricity, oil, gas, tv etc will be three times as much as in UK and food is twice the price

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apachepony · 16/09/2012 11:28

Where in Ireland will you be based? That will make a difference. School days are shorter here, so that may make a difference for childcare, which is v expensive particularly in Dublin. However, i remember Ireland scores v high, much higher than uk, for childhood satisfaction - don't know why though, it may be because of strong family networks, which you may not have. If you are a lower earner, taxes are lower than in the uk, if you are a higher earner, they will be higher - if you are in the middle, which is about ?50,000 in Dublin, they're about the same I think

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SummerRain · 16/09/2012 11:30
  • dublin is hellish

    Damn phone!
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SuperSesame · 16/09/2012 11:40

Dh was a primary school teacher in London and now in Ireland.
In London he reached school at 7.30 so he had time to prepare for the day
He stayed until about 5 correcting work and planning the next day and having meetings.
He said it would have been frowned upon to leave earlier.
Here, the teachers arrive as the bell goes off at 9am,waltz into classrooms with the kids and leave as soon as they kids also.
There is far less lesson planning as the kids use (expensive) workbooks that they write in for most lessons.
He loves teaching here! Hmm

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wannabedomesticgoddess · 16/09/2012 11:40

Im from N.I and clicked on this thread out of curiosity. I have never been across the border.

But I am Shock

It sounds like a third world country.

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Traceymac2 · 16/09/2012 11:55

It just depends on where you live and what field you work in. I really like the West, hated Dublin. A lot of that had to do with my job and being isolated from friends/family. Now I have kids I have met lots of other parents and made friends. Took time though.

Infrastructure is terrible. No train lines over much of country and most of the roads are just main roads rather than motorway although there is more being constructed.

We have a house on large site in a modern village a few kms from the city, we would never have been able to afford this in the UK. I do feel safer here (lived in london for yrs), crime rates are much lower, anyone will chat to you, people say hello in the street. I think the children can remain children for longer here too. There are many positives too, it's not all bad. Maybe I am just used to it!

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amillionyears · 16/09/2012 14:05

Thanks for all the information.I appreciate it.
The person I am talking about has decided to accept the position,as career wise it is very good.He also enjoys travelling and experiencing new places.
I would like to continue posting and asking some questions about this,but I think I would out myself,so after some thought have decided not to do this.

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Traceymac2 · 16/09/2012 14:09

Its only for three years so even if he doesn't settle it's not for ever. I think if he goes with the attitude you describe he will be fine.

Feel welcome to PM me I would be happy to answer any other questions you might have.

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SophySinclair · 16/09/2012 17:12

am a teacher. preferred the Irish system, rote learning and all. Children had a better grounding of the basics. Also had an extra year at primary school which I liked.

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mathanxiety · 17/09/2012 07:34

The Ireland being described (Third World?) is not the one I am familiar with. Yes there are expenses you do not face in Britain (health, childcare depending on your work situation) and you may find living is more expensive depending on your taste. But getting around is incredibly easier than it used to be.

I agree 100% with SophySinclair -- children get a better grounding in the basics, and the secondary system (if you end up staying that long) has much to recommend it, with its general education requirements and no early specialisation. Everyone who is university bound does maths, English, possibly Irish, another language, sciences, history/geography, econ, possibly art or music (and there are more). It is a more rounded education than the education Britain offers. More children go on to 18 at secondary.

Living in Dublin is lovely if you choose your area well, just as in any other city, and schools tend to reflect the educational priorities (or lack thereof) of the local residents. There are definitely some areas that are far more desirable than others and they are priced accordingly. In country areas you won't have the same pace of life and you may find yourself in a more homogenous community. A cousin who moved out of Dublin several years ago loves where she is and her children settled in and thrived. My own niece is in school in Dublin city (a private girls' school) and is doing very well there -- if you have time, investigate thoroughly before you choose where to go. I have one cousin who does a 1.5 hour commute to Dublin from a south east county every day and back every evening. He and his family like the life in the country and the local national schools and secondary options.

If you choose Dublin, I would avoid in no particular order Tallaght, Crumlin, Blanchardstown/Clonsilla, North City Centre/Sheriff Street/North Wall, parts of Clondalkin, Ballyfermot, Coolock, Finglas, Inchicore, Kimmage, Santry, Dolphins Barn-Rialto, Darndale, Ballymun, Ballybough, Corduff, Ballybrack, Sallynoggin, Ringsend, Jobstown, Kilbarrack, Donaghmede, Chapelizod, Mercer Street-Cuffe Street, Ballyogan, parts of Firhouse, Mulhuddart, Walkinstown, Cabra, Drimnagh, Neilstown, Bawnogue, Islandbridge, Cherry Orchard, parts of Ballinteer, Killester, Donnycarney, Mounttown-DunLaoghaire, Raheny, Balally, Bluebell, Balcurris, Poppintree, parts of Churchtown.

OTOH, Glasnevin, Drumcondra (parts), Clontarf, Malahide, Sutton (parts), Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Castleknock, Portmarnock, Bayside, Howth, Baldoyle, Ranelagh, Blackrock, Foxrock, Ballsbridge, parts of Killiney (some parts of Killiney are actually Ballybrack), Dalkey, parts of Shankill (some parts are Ballybrack south), parts of Cabinteely (runs into Ballybrack on the south east), Donnybrook, Milltown, Dundrum, Clonskeagh, Leopardstown, parts of Stillorgan, Terenure, Sandymount, Belfield, Booterstown, parts of Monkstown, Rathfarnham, Templeogue, lots of Knocklyon, Rathmines, Rathgar, parts of Glenageary, parts of Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove, area between Bray and Shankill are all nice. D18, D4, D6 in general. Maybe Swords.

Have probably overlooked a lot. Apologies to anyone with a soft spot for any of those places I would avoid.

Though some parts of Dublin 8-Phibsborough-Stoneybatter-Liberties/Coombe-Smithfield have improved I would still not fancy the urban pioneer experience in the city with children unless in the heart of D2/Leeson Street/Baggot Street areas (but avoid Pearse Street) and even then you would be looking at private schools. Maybe Portobello...but again, children need to go to school.

Outside of the city, Celbridge (has a rep for drugs though), Maynooth, Lucan (or is that in Dublin??), Newbridge, Naas, Enfield in Kildare; Laytown, Bettystown in far north Dublin; Navan, Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin, Trim, Slane in Meath; Arklow, Bray, Greystones and Enniskerry (and other northern Wicklow towns), Carlow town or other small towns in north Co. Carlow might be possibilities with a bit of a commute.

The south side allows you faster access out to the Wicklow mountains -- lovely coastal spots south of the city too with lots of walks and getting out in the fresh air opportunities.

People are a lot more 'personal' with you in Ireland than in Britain. That goes for petty criminals as well as nice neighbours.

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B1ueberry · 17/09/2012 07:41

It's not a third World country... BUT things are tough here at the moment. I get free medical care so Blush I'm one of those poor people. Unlike in America though I don't have to stand in a different queue at the doctors/chemist. I was checked out for a lump in my breast 18 months ago and was treated EXACTLY the same as anybody else. Was impressed, they treat you first (the docs) and hten the admin get your details so you don't walk in to see the doctor knowing she knows you're on a medical card!

I would not come to Dublin to look for a job in this current climate, but if you have one to go to then I'd consider it.

As another pp says, children's school day very short. Mine are finished a little after one and a little after two. Unless you have at least some family stepping forward to do a portion of the pick ups, it would make childcare for two+ children expensive.

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AThingInYourLife · 17/09/2012 07:57

" I was checked out for a lump in my breast 18 months ago and was treated EXACTLY the same as anybody else."

Really?

When my aunt had a breast lump a few years ago (when times were better) she would have had to wait 3 months to see a consultant if she had gone public.

She paid her money and got seen within days, so her treatment started months earlier i.e. Her chances of survival would have been much lower if she had not gone private.

That's pretty standard.

Health insurance is cheap because it is massively subsidised by the taxes of those who can't afford it and piggy backs on the public system paid for with public money.

It's a total fucking disgrace that treats the lives of the poor as worth less than the better off.

So watch out when the Tories start allowing this kind of "topping up" on the NHS. It will destroy it.

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B1ueberry · 17/09/2012 08:18

Yeah, the 'you'd have died if you weren't private'. These urban half myths/sometime truths circulate. They might be true some of the time but I think people who pay insurance premiums feast on them with relish. Without sounding like too much of a d1ckhead here, I would be the only one in my circle of acquaintance who has any direct experience of being on benefits, being entitled to a medical card.... having gone through the system as a public patient. And in my experience, I was treated efficiently and with no less dignity than a patient with insurance.

I think people need to believe that they are getting something for their money. That's human nature. NOBODY wants to fork out premiums for a service that those on low incomes gets for free. But in my experience, I was treated very well, and efficiently.

In a perfect World we could have the NHS in Ireland. WIll never understand why british people find fault with it.

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AThingInYourLife · 17/09/2012 08:20

People in Ireland don't pay for health insurance so they can have physio or elective surgery more quickly.

They pay because they know if they get seriously ill their chances of recovery are higher (in the same hospitals, with the same doctors) if they go private.

That's the planned future for the NHS.

People pay up readily when they are afraid.

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AThingInYourLife · 17/09/2012 08:23

You're calling my aunt an urban myth?

You're saying that a 3 month delay in diagnosis and treatment is risk free for someone with (as it turned out) quite an aggressive form of breast cancer?

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SummerRain · 17/09/2012 09:19

I've had to wait months, sometimes years, for appointment for the kids on the medical card.

My parents had private insurance when I was growing up and there is a phenomenal difference in waiting time.

My friends daughter is on the waiting list for a tonsil op. She has been for over a year... She has been told she could have the operation within a month if she pays for private.

It's no urban myth, this healthcare system won't let you die for lack of money like the US.... But you'll certainly be treated much more rapidly privately. And in some cases that can make a difference to survival rates.

Our main children's hospital is nowhere near big enough and the likelihood of the new one being built in the next 20 year's is non existent die to red tape and absurd planning laws.

As for 'nice' areas of Dublin.... I've lived in rathfarnham.... You couldn't pay me to live there again.

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ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 17/09/2012 09:36

My DH is from Tallaght

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TiggerWearsATriteSmile · 17/09/2012 09:40

WOW.

Stay where you are OP.....

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ginmakesitallok · 17/09/2012 09:46

I'm still Shock that someone living in n ireland has never been to the south!

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WhatYouLookingAt · 17/09/2012 09:47

Progression has passed us by? Compared the the UK ?

I don't bloody think so. Hmm

Sure the health service is fucked, but since the NHS is falling down around you ears, its a bit rich. And things have actually got better in many areas since the economy has gone to shite. As for schooling, we might pay out a bit more than you ( alot more) but we start them later, have shorter school days, longer holidays, and still outperform the UK in all educational standards, being far far above you on the international league tables (9th to your 31st, in case you were wondering).

Yes things are more expensive, but we have higher wages and lower taxes, higher child benefit and more.

There is a lot wrong with Ireland, but there is also a lot right with it, and I take exception to some of the descriptions here.

Also Bettystown is in Meath, not Dublin, and Lucan is. And Navan is a shithole.

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