To think that life seems better in rep of ireland?

[PunnyOliveTurtle]

ok...hear me out...My DM is Irish and she has not been home in a good few years, I haven't been over since I was 15, I'm early 40's now. So i decided to bring her over to visit her sisters as they are all getting older...late 60s/early 70's.

I had a wonderful time. I caught up with all of my cousins...and here is where I noticed the divide...they all have gorgeous homes and I mean stunning! Some in the country, some in the town, all fab new builds or gutted and updated old houses. A couple in new housing estates which were FAB!!
One of my cousins has just bought a new home...her DH is driving a 2025 car, they are off on hols next week. I asked her if she won the lotto and she laughed saying she wished, savings are now depleted and she was "broke". I know she has no credit cards because she metioned that she didn't have one when we wer talking about booking dinner somewhere and they wanted to take a deposit.

They all have great jobs...a lot of them are teachers...like i was. But they are no where near as stressed as I was. They are on holidays already and have been with a few weeks.Some are nurses but work part time in private hospitals, others work in big pharma companies, banking etc.Their dh's also have great jobs, engineers, managers in tech/pharma, one owns a construction company, one is a farmer.
All and I mean ALL of their DC who are of uni age are in university...no student loans. They have a grant scheme apparently. None of my cousins themselves have student loans...they are in 30's to mid 50's. (Can you tell we had an in depth discussion on uni and fees etc!)
Their DC aged 15+ all have summer jobs...in a local chippy, local cafe, one on a farm etc. My 18 yr old cant get a job at all!!

Everything just seemed so positive there...and im sure its not but I cant put my finger on it...it really got me.
I'm struggling most months...this trip was part on credit card. DD looking to start uni and i dont know how I'm going to help her... I know they say dont compare and I know there must be those struggling in Ireland too but there seemed to be A LOT more money being thrown around.

Regarding the Down Syndrome friendly culture, I think it's linked with the denial of abortion services. Women did not have the option to terminate, so there is more acceptance of disabilityin general, as it was God's will.

This is so interesting to read. That's how I'm viewed at work in the UK org where I work.

As is my Irish cousin in London. We were discussing it just last weekend. I think we're naturally quite proactive, determined and personable too.

Yes, but the outcome of being more accommodating and welcoming of disabled people is surely a positive thing in itself.

And I'm not just talking about Dowm Syndrome here, but disability more generally.

The assessment of need, meeting with relevant professionals, 3 month legal turnabout, approximate waiting list 2 years.

Camh's only accepts children who are suicidal and even then, you are put on a long list, most referral letters are refused.

Thankfully the school's are great, they provide support on needs based and diagnosis, with resource teachers and sna staff. No teachers aids.

I had to pay for occupational therapy, speech and language, CBT etc DS is on a list about 7 years, his school is amazing.

The teachers are angels in human form. They offer so much support, sadly the demands are getting tougher with the lack of SN schools, many children in mainstream cannot cope with it, the teachers are fabulous but only human. Class sizes are increasing across the country, children fleeing war or persecutions, overall the children are lovely and happy, like the UK, the system is overwhelmed without support services.

Adult mh services is even worse.

@Mitara Yes. Obviously Ireland has healthcare but not free for everyone because only the nhs provides that. Health fees for the people quoted by the op need to be factored in.

@Chattanoogachoo it tells you alcohol age cigarettes are cheaper lol

We have people who don’t want to work in the uk and they are only 2-3 generations away from poverty too! Do they far more support here in the uk for not bothering? Who looks after the elderly in Ireland? Do people stop working and do care instead? Are young people motivated to work in Ireland? 1 million in the uk are not. Pocket money or pip payments are better.

The HSE looks after the elderly through carers or home help schemes.

The government has a really good scheme here for homeowners, I think its limited to 10% of the property value when sold for care costs, plus pension.

The government pays family members carer's benefits too.

I think there is a lot of people here, who won't work, most of DD's class albeit a sn school receives disability payments, many are intelligent and capable.

It depends on where you live, my area is a mix of financial service employees and extreme poverty through addiction and mh problems etc.

Hard disagree.
People with down syndrome are valued members of society, nothing to do with religion.
I'm yet to meet a person with down syndrome who hasn't got a cracking sense of humour and huge heart.

How is your partner moving there can I ask?

I am an Irish citizen and can get citizenship for my DC but not my DH

Like anywhere, ireland is good if you have money. It is horrible if you dont.

Any British person can move to Ireland as part of the common travel area.
And then apply for citizenship after 5 years residency.

I think @CreationNat1on @EmeraldShamrock000 you are both right actually. The acceptance of people with disabilities was indirectly linked to religion. You accept the child God gave you. As ireland grew less religious and more liberal, some of these values still held. For many years society moved away from the old Catholic ways but still held a no termination rule, as we know. There was a time in the 90s and 00s where young single women were no longer looked down upon for keeping babies and generally received a lot of support from communities. Every class in school had a few girls get 'caught out' and were treated with sympathy usually. We grew to accept unplanned pregnancy as part of life.

There were therefore a lot of people born with DS and we became a society where a high proportion were now living to adulthood due to advances in medicine. They therefore became valued members of society and are considered to be particularly positive and joyful to be around. I was happy to see Dunnes using DS people in their ad campaigns, for me it's quite normal to see people with DS around the place and as part of the community. I think most Irish people agree.

Any uk citizen is allowed to live in the republic of ireland and vice versa.

There is an agreement between the two countries. It always surprises me how few people in the UK know this.

Me too.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/ireland-and-the-uk/common-travel-area-between-ireland-and-the-uk/

Yes, afaik you have to live here 5 years to qualify for an Irish passport.
I know it costs €1000.
A friend recently applied for one.

it's quite normal to see people with DS around the place and as part of the community. I think most Irish people agree.

This is exactly what my colleague wanted for her daughter and I'm glad she feels she's achieving that.

I live on the continent. I have a great GP because I can choose who I go to and I could see her quickly if I needed to, or go to someone else if there was some kind of urgency like getting a medical certificate for work.

It costs a lot less though, around 5 when it's agreed prices, and around 30 when she doesn't charge the agreed prices.

Yes, I also believe people with Down Syndrome tend to be very joyful and loving and contribute to a more grounded community.

https://kenonfood.com/irish-food-events-festivals-calendar/#:~:text=Beyond%20The%20Plate)%2C%20Glendalough%20Estate,TBC:%20Yeast%20Meets%20West%2C%20Mayo

same…

I’ve worked in care and people with DS have a wide range of personalities just like all other human beings. They aren’t all the happy, loving and easygoing stereotype that is so often promoted. Some are very much the opposite.

Changed my mind about Ireland, I'll be moving abroad, Michael Flately could be throwing his name in the hat for the presidential elections...

I agree. And this idea that those with DS are all happy and cheerful with a great sense of humour is actually insulting in its sweeping generalisation and ‘othering’

So have I and have always had a good experience, I'm not denying that there is frustration that causes stubbornness, and sometimes aggressive behaviours, but overall these things are resolved quickly.

Down syndrome ireland is a very active program full of family support.

My uncle lived till 47.

My cousin is 32, he has a pt job.
I have always thought I could have a baby with downs, wouldn't have been a problem.

The sponsored employment scheme is brilliant. Dh was surprised to see this when he moved here from NI, McDonald's, Tesco, Boots, etc all employ ppl with DS.

I've often wondered why those countries including other EU who moan about Ireland's clever use of low Corporation Tax don't do that themselves! Might affect Ireland though if they did 😊

I am living in Dublin, so full disclosure. I have lots to say but I'm heading out on a cultural mission in this godforsaken city full of heroin, litter, immigrants, and shite.

I'll be back soon to tell you if I made it safely, and how I enjoyed myself.