To be thinking I might move to rep of Ireland?

[headcandygrl]

Aibu to think of moving to Ireland?
I am fed up of the lack of jobs here in the U.K.!
There seems to be (from the little research I have done) more benefits there (child benefit is WAY more!) , better job opportunities, less of an effect on jobs due to Covid. I have seen on here that they don't pay council tax! No water bills either. As far as I can see they pay slightly more tax! So it kind of evens out! But wages are better...
The education system there doesn't seem to pigeonhole children for a young age! They don't have to pass GCSE equivalents to do the A LEVEL equivalent...
University costs are less!! They have a grant system that is not paid back!!

Am I looking over with rose tinted glasses?? Is this the reality?? Anyone in Ireland who can clarify details for me?

Now I know they don't have an NHS like ours but from what I can see it is somewhat free for those that need it!!?

It's a bit of a chicken and egg scenario really. I just avoid going to the doctor at all costs. And that's not really
You're actually right. My Sis is a little over the amount for a GP card she often/always puts off going to the doctor.

@EmeraldShamrock

I wouldn't advise against health insurance tbh. if you're on the dole 60 quid for the doctor is a huge amount to come up with If you couldn't come up with a random €60 for a GP visit you certainly couldn't afford health insurance it's very expensive. Besides like a pp above unemployed or low income families get a medical card which covers GP and prescriptions or a GP card if earning to cover GP cost.

I used to post the journals at work for salaries and deductions, one of which was health insurance. The cost of it was frighteningly high. Am looking into getting getting a medical card atm.

I live in Ireland but have lived in other countries including the Uk.
I love Ireland for lots of reasons particularly the scenery as I live near some breathtaking places.
However you have definitely got rosetinted specs...
Our health service is one of the biggest issues I have and I’d say it’s one of the worst systems in Europe. We pay 50/60 euros every time we see a gp, having dcs (over 6) can mean that’s v v expensive plus your perscription. I had thrush treated recently (can’t buy otc oral tabs , need to go to dr) , it cost me 80 euros, in the Uk around 5 euros!!! That’s just one example.
I have three dcs and they all finish school at different times , it would cost me 15 euros an hour to get all three minded in afterschool or childcare and there’s no wraparound for my youngest who finishes at 11.30.... Loads of childminders here aren’t registered so it cash in hand a lot.
Car insurance and car tax is much more expensive than the U.K.
With jobs it’s a lot of who you know which I have never experienced in the Uk..
Holidays are v long , if you have teenagers they are off for three months in the summer not like 6 weeks in the Uk.
I know I sound very negative but the child benefit may sound better but it is totally offset by other costs. I have a lot of qualifications etc but have ended up working in a freelance job which I really like but I also had to ad found it impossible to get work as I’m not well-connected. In my daughters school a few teachers are related to each other... that’s normal here for people to get jobs this way. I find this so infuriating and way preferred in other countries I have lived the professional application process.
If you have a child with sn you end up paying privately to see ots etc as publicly you’ll be on a waiting list for years ( pre covid!!!) .
Yes , there are lots of good things too, I’ve lived in loads of places and plp here are the friendliest I’ve come across. It’s totally normal here to chat to anyone , in a playground, waiting somewhere etc , I really like that openness. I think as a working parent without family support it can be very challenging though as schools finish so early and our health system is so bad it really worries me re our futures, unless you have money and can pay privately you could be in trouble.

@HollyCarrot Definitely look into a medical card your health is very important. You may even qualify for a GP card which is very good with the prescription scheme.

[quote EmeraldShamrock]@HollyCarrot Definitely look into a medical card your health is very important. You may even qualify for a GP card which is very good with the prescription scheme.[/quote]
I'm in the process of looking into it. The oul mental health isn't the best atm which is stopping me. My own worst enemy etc. Thank god for the Toy Show!

Our health service is one of the biggest issues I have and I’d say it’s one of the worst systems in Europe*

I’d have to agree with this statement, outside of the 3 main teaching hospitals in Dublin we have massively inconsistent hospitals elsewhere. There are two many poor hospitals that don’t have the volume of patients for specialisation and a ardent reluctance to change the status quote mainly from voters who are rightly terrified that the next offering could leave them even worse off. The hospitals in Ireland are a shambolic legacy issue. The issues in the hospitals causes the issues right through the health system.

Tonnes of typos there sorry about that

@headcandygrl the big shock for me this week - an Irish Dr on Instagram was asked how much the coil cost - €334 for fitting, device and post insertion check. Things like this would soon add up.

sorry I haven't read all the thread but no university fees here at all due to the Free Fees Scheme. A well known fact over here

www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html#

It is possible to get some GP costs and prescriptions covered through your health insurance OP so gave a good shop around if and when you do. I just double checked mine and I get 75% of my GP costs refunded and €15 x 5 lots towards my prescriptions.

@lurker101 it's just as well my dh has had the snip then! 🤣

[quote lurker101]@headcandygrl the big shock for me this week - an Irish Dr on Instagram was asked how much the coil cost - €334 for fitting, device and post insertion check. Things like this would soon add up.[/quote]
Really? Mine was about half that. The initial appointment with the gp was €60 and the merina itself was capped at €114(?). I had it inserted in the menorrhagia clinic in Holles St for the price of the bus fare. Obviously I'm lucky to live in Dublin with better access.

@HollyCarrot It is very easy to do it online. Afaik you have to have your doctor sign it but if you put a subnote and email your surgery they can look after that.
As long as you can upload a photo from phone it couldn't be easier to send in your ID. I genuinely hope you feel better in yourself soon, depression is a curse AD's IME are a life saver.

some people were rude to me just for being English
I don't believe this. Irish people are only rude behind your back never to your face.

I haven't lived in Ireland so can't say too much but I think many people are considering leaving the UK at the moment due to the inevitable pandemic destruction and not knowing what will happen with Brexit and the consequences. However most European countries will be dealing with the economic consequences of lockdowns for the next few years and there is no utopia land for the forseeable future. Everywhere has its pros and cons but there is still a reason why so many people decide to come to live and work in the UK. Just before making a move, you really have to weigh up so many factors. Its not always what it's cracked up to be

I have no mortgage but I don't think my bills are crazy for Ireland-
Electricity-(monthly) €50
House and contents insurance (annual)- €500
Car insurance x2 (annual)€1400ish
Life insurance x2 (monthly) €55
Car tax x2 (annual) €1kish
Property tax (annual) €200ish
Childcare - (weekly) €32
Phone bills x2 €60
Broadband €34
Bin charges €26

So monthly I have direct debits of about €230
Childcare depends on weeks in a month but I only use an hour of Afterschool each day -that's €8 for 2 dc. So 4 days is €32 per week
Food €70-80 per week
Fuel €40 per week
All of my annual expenses we save up for using sinking funds. So I save €3500 to cover them. Which is more than enough.

@JaneJeffer

some people were rude to me just for being English I don't believe this. Irish people are only rude behind your back never to your face.

I disagree. I was at the pub with my Irish friend when someone we worked with came over (also Irish) sat with us. Within two minutes he was giving out about the fucking British. This is someone who chose to live in the UK and has had British girlfriends. I called him out on it. I'm British.

When we were looking to move out of Dublin, my criteria for future location were:
1.) Jobs- I work in Pharma, DH IT
2.) Housing location- less commuting
3.) Schools and amenities- ideally walkable but not possible but only 10 min drive.
4.) Hospital- My son has allergies
5.) University- At least one major uni or Institute of Technology
6.) Proximity to Dublin 😁🤣
7.) Beaches/Leisure

Cork suited us as we're both 25 mins drive from work and we live in the suburbs. Hospital we have a fantastic 'integrated' hospital combining the children, adult, maternity in the one location a 5 min drive. I had my son's broken arm check and went for my own appointment. After that went to see a pregnant friend in maternity ward. All in the same hospital. Of course any issues are sent to Temple Street and Crumlin in Dublin.

I'm not a native Irish but have lived here since age 12 so used to everything being expensive, health insurance etc. I'm sure there are worse places to live and better but you have to choose what suits you best

I haven't lived in Ireland so can't say too much but I think many people are considering leaving the UK at the moment due to the inevitable pandemic destruction and not knowing what will happen with Brexit and the consequences
Ireland will be pulled under with Brexit too, it is a catastrophe that will create a massive recession here on top of the pandemic.
I think lots of Irish people are really pissed off with the extra costs endured for new systems and tax procedures never mind the years spent discussing NI and Brexit.

I don't believe this. Irish people are only rude behind your back never to your face 🤣👏

@kittykat35 do you have gas? My electricity is €260 (yesterday). DH has been working from home since March and we only use electricity no gas. We have underfloor hearing so maybe that adds up. You must have proper massive cars as my car insurance for both cars is around €800
(12 year old Subaru 1.5L and 2 year old Astra 1.4L). I'd love to be mortgage free tho as that is a whopping €1450 monthly!

@Mishmased
no gas as we are rural so only electricity and a wood burner (we use our own wood for that)
My insurance is a little on the higher side as I learned to drive later than most here and dh had an accident a few years back so lost the no claims. 🙈 So it SHOULD go down over the next few years.

@kittykat35 that explains it, hopefully it goes down soon. Apologies if I sounded nosy, I don't know any Munster people on here so get overly excited when some says they're from the south/east 😁

Not nosy at all!! Ah me too!! There's a lot more Irish on here than you think!!

@thatscurvydogbeard

Technically, there are no Tuition Fees, but additional student contributions are required at the start of each year, unless you qualify for a means tested grant.

It can be up to £3,000 euro per year of study.

‘Most colleges charge an annual student contribution, formerly called the student services charge. It is also known as a registration fee and it covers student services and examinations. The amount of the contribution varies from The maximum rate of the student contribution for the academic year 2020-2021 is €3,000.’