guide to living & working in the republic of ireland international dialing code: +353 emergency...

Guide to Living & Working

in the Republic of Ireland

Partnership | Experience | Impact

600 People 60 Offices

16 Countries Grafton Recruitment offers tailor-made employment solutions,

providing flexibility and local knowledge in each of the markets we operate in.

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Welcome to Ireland

Working in ROI

Public Transport

Living in ROI

Content4

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About Grafton Recruitment

Grafton Recruitment is one of the largest recruitment companies

in Ireland with 11 branches across the Republic of Ireland and

Northern Ireland, supported by 600 people in 60 offices in 16

countries. Our services include permanent recruitment, temporary

recruitment, Executive Search and RPO/outsourced HR.

For 32 years Grafton Recruitment has been connecting talent and

opportunity. Last year we placed over 6,000 permanent employees

in roles, and supplied 5,000 temporary staff per week. We work

together to foster lifelong relationships and partnerships, driving a

positive impact for candidates, our clients and our business.

At Grafton Recruitment, we are all about people, creating success

together and enjoying ourselves in the process. If you need

recruitment advice we would be delighted to hear from you.

www.graftonrecruitment.com

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Welcome to IrelandDublin | Cork | Limerick | Galway | Waterford

Geography of Ireland

Ireland is an island in northwest Europe in the north Atlantic

Ocean whose main geographical features include low central

plains surrounded by a ring of coastal mountains. The highest

peak is Carrauntoohil (Irish: Corrán Tuathail), which is 1,041

metres (3,415 ft) above sea level. The western coastline is

rugged, with many islands, peninsulas, headlands and bays.

The island is bisected by the River Shannon, which at 386 km

(240 mi) with a 113 km (70 mi) estuary is the longest river in

Ireland and flows south from County Cavan in Ulster to meet

the Atlantic just south of Limerick.

Population Trends z Population 2012 – 4.65 million

z The life expectancy in Ireland is amongst the highest

in the world, with the average life expectancy being 80

years of age.

z The population demographic is made up as following;

• 0–14y/o=21.3%

• 15–65y/o=67.2%

• 65+y/o=11.5%

z English is the most common language spoken in Ireland.

z Irish (Gaelic) is spoken in limited areas mainly on the west

coast.

Main Cities

Further Details of the main cities in Ireland can be found in

the following links;

z Dublin (Capital City) - http://www.visitdublin.com/

z Cork - http://www.discoverireland.ie/Places-To-Go/Cork/

More-Info/Features/Cork-City

z Limerick - http://limerick.ie/

z Galway - http://www.galwaytourism.ie/

z Waterford - http://www.waterfordtourism.com/

Dublin is the lively capital city of Ireland. Its range of elegant georgian houses to victorian pubs and the glittering modern buildings of Grand Canal docks make

it an enchanting city to live and work in. It has rich literary culture, with a wide range of museums and sports along with an international music scene. There is

always something going on...

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www.graftonrecruitment.com n [email protected] n phone: +353 (0) 1 517 50404

Connecting talent and opportunityGrafton Recruitment offers you professional, honest

advice during your job search. We advertise hundreds

of new vacancies from prestigious companies across

a range of job categories and sectors every week,

so you get access to the latest and most interesting

offers on the labour market.

Grafton Recruitment HistoryFor over 30 years, Grafton Recruitment has been providing

permanent, temporary and outsourced recruitment solutions

to clients in the private and public sectors in Ireland and

Northern Ireland. Our trusted team of advisors are available

to give you the best insight into the skills that are required

in the marketplace and the opportunities available.

SectorsEach year, over 100,000 candidates register with Grafton

Recruitment, making us one of the largest recruitment

agencies in Ireland. We have roles available within

Accountancy, Financial Services, Banking, ICT/Technology,

Sales, Marketing and Scientific sectors.

International ReachWith a European presence across 16 countries Grafton

Recruitment has 60 offices employing 600 people. Grafton

has a strong presence in Central and Eastern Europe

including Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

Our ServicesPermanent Recruitment

Temporary Recruitment

Human Resource Consulting

Employer Branding

Talent Monitoring & Mapping

Recruitment Process Outsourcing

www.graftonrecruitment.com n [email protected] n phone: +353 (0) 1 517 5040 5

Visas & Permits

Citizens of certain countires will require a visa in

order to visit Ireland. You can apply for an Irish

Visa a your nearest Irish Embassy or consulate.

A visa does not confer any right to live or work

in Ireland. The website below will provide

relevant information.

http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=8778

Information on suitability & requirements

to work in ROI can be found on Citizens

Information website:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_

country/moving_to_ireland/coming_to_live_in_

ireland/visa_requirements_for_entering_ireland.

html

Bank Account To open an account you will need to visit a

branch in person. The main local banks with

branches across the country include;

z Ulster Bank- www.ulsterbank.com

z Bank of Ireland- www.bankofireland.com

z AIB - www.aib.ie

z Danske Bank- www.danskebank.ie

Further information on banking prodcuts and

services please visit www.itsyourmoney.ie

Income TaxA Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is a

unique reference for all dealings with public

service in Ireland. It helps provide access to

social welfare benefirs, public services and

information. You must already be living in

Ireland to apply for your PPS number. Details

on the application process can be found at the

folling websites.

z Social Security: http://www.welfare.ie/en/

Pages/Your-social-security-rights-in-Ireland-

--A-Guide-for-EU-Citi.aspx

z Residence Rights: http://www.

citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/

moving_to_ireland/rights_of_residence_in_

ireland/residence_rights_eu_national.html

z General: http://www.citizensinformation.

ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/

working_in_ireland/coming_to_work_in_

ireland.html

EmploymentFull-time hours: Normally 37-42 hour week

Max Working Hours: 48 per week

Currency: Euros/€

Minimum Wage: €8.65 p/h

Annual Holiday Leave: 20 days + 9 Bank Holidays

€

Working in ROIVisas & Permits | Income Tax | Bank Account Public Holidays | Telephone/Internet | Air Access

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Telephone/InternetInternational dialing code: +353

Emergency numbers: Ambulance, Fire brigade,

Gardaí, life boat or mountain rescue dial 999 or

112.

Mobile Telephone Networks in Ireland:

www.callcosts.ie allows consumers to compare

mobile phone charges across all operators. It

assists consumers to select the optimum mobile

phone package, based on their individual usage.

Connecting Internet: To access the internet

from your home you generally need the

following: a telephone line, a computer with the

necessary software, a modem – an electronic

device that will connect to the internet from

your PC, an account with an internet service

provider. There are also options for connecting

to the internet that do not require a fixed

telephone line, for example, 3G modems.

Public HolidaysThere are nine public holidays throughout the

year:

z January 1 (New Year’s day)

z March 17 (St Patrick’s day)

z Easter Monday (no fixed date - between the

end of March and the end of April).

z First Monday in May

z First Monday in June

z First Monday in August

z Last Monday in October

z December 25 (Christmas day)

z December 26 (St. Stephen’s day).

Air AccessOn the island of Ireland there are four principal

international airports, Dublin, Cork, Shannon and

Belfast. There are also smaller regional airports

in Derry, Donegal, Kerry, Knock, Galway, Sligo, and

Waterford.

Transatlantic Routes include:

z Belfast: Scheduled flights to and from New

York

z Dublin: Scheduled flights to and from Atlanta,

Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York,

Newark, Washington DC, San Francisco,

Philadelphia and Toronto.

z Knock Airport: Scheduled flights to and from

Boston and New York.

z Shannon Airport: Scheduled flights to and

from Boston, Chicago, New York, Newark,

Philadelphia and Toronto.


Ticket options: z Pay as you go - please note that no change is given by

the Bus Driver and ticket has to be redeemed at Dublin

Bus head office.

z Buy tickets at any one of 400 ticket agents, where you

see the Dublin Bus sign.

z Adult Leap Cards can be used on services in the Greater

Dublin Area. Available from www.leapcard.ie and Leap

Card Ticket Agents

Ticket Options z Adult Leap Cards can be used on services in the Greater

Dublin Area. Available from www.leapcard.ie and Leap

Card Ticket Agents.

z Tickets can be bought at any Bus Éireann Travel Centre.

See www.buseireann.ie/travelcentres for a list of

locations

z Also see www.buseireann.ie to purchase tickets online.

Ticket Options z Leap Card in Dublin’s ‘short hop zone’, available from

www.leapcard.ie and Leap Card Ticket Agents.

z Single and return tickets can be bought from ticket

machines in stations.

z Intercity tickets can be bought online at www.irishrail.ie

or in from ticket machines in stations.

z Monthly and annual tickets available to purchase through

employers at www.taxsaver.ie.

Public TransportDublin Bus | Bus Éireann | Irish RailLuas | DART | Taxis

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Dublin Bus provides commuter

services within Dublin.

It operates an extensive

network of 110, cross-city and

peripheral routes in the city

and the Greater Dublin Area.

Bus Éireann operates regional

city, commuter, and intercity

bus services throughout

Ireland.

Irish Rail operates city and

commuter services in Dublin

and Cork as well as intercity

services throughout Ireland.

Dublin Bus Bus Éireann Irish Rail


Ticket options: z Leap Card

z Single & Return Tickets available from Luas Ticket

Machines.

z Luas Tax Saver Monthly & Annual Tickets; info at luas.ie.

z Luas + Bus +/or Rail Monthly & Annual Taxsaver Tickets;

info at www.taxsaver.ie

More InformationIt runs along the coast of the Irish Sea from Malahide

or Howth in north County Dublin southwards as far as

Greystones, Co Wicklow.

There are a range of DART tickets and fares that offer

customer great value.

DART services operate every 15 minutes all day.

More InformationFor information about taxi regulations, a fare calculator and

lost property visit www.transportforireland.ie/taxi

There are several useful apps for obtaining taxis in Irish

cities:

z Hailo

z Uber

Ireland’s public transport is nationwide with state companies operating

intercity services and in regional commutes. In particular getting to the major

cities using public transport is very accessible and by in large you will have

options in terms of mode of public transport you use.

LuasisDublin’stramservice,

operatingtwolines.The

LuasRedLinelinksTallaght/

SaggarttoConnolly/The

Point.TheLuasGreenLine

linksBridesGlen/Sandyfordto

St.Stephen’sGreen.

In Dublin, the electric rail

system called the DART

(Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is

a quick and easy way to get

around Dublin.

Taxis are a common mode of

transport in Ireland and easily

available in all major urban

centres. The National Transport

Authority are responsible for

regulating Taxi in Ireland.

Luas DART Taxis


Accommodation | Driving | Media Healthcare | Education | Political System

+Living in ROI

AccommodationIt is important that you research the area in which you intend

to live. Renting is best when you first move to Ireland there

are a number of options available to you: rentaroomina

property,rentahouseorrentanapartment.

Most advertising for rental properties is done online. However

newspapers and media outlets are also a good source. When

you move to Ireland for the first time you may find it more

helpful to have face to face interaction even at the initial

stages of looking for a rental property.

Some of the main renting websites include:

z www.daft.ie

z www.myhome.ie

z www.rent.ie

z www.property.ie

If you choose to use a letting agency a fee will apply for this

service and this is a one off fee or a percentage of the rent.

Driving in IrelandQ: During my stay in Ireland I will only be renting a car what

do I need for car hire?

A: You must produce your own licence for inspection when

hiring a vehicle in Ireland.

Q: I am a full licence holder and my licence was issued by an

EU/ EEA member state, can I drive in Ireland?

A: Yes! Provided that the existing licence is valid. If you wish

to exchange your licence for an Irish licence you must do

so within 10 years of your foreign licence expiring and you

must have certified details or a letter of entitlement from the

issuing authority.

Q: I am a licence holder from a non- EU member state , can I

still drive?

A: You can still drive, however this only applies on a

temporary basis for up to 12 months, presuming that you

have a full driving licence in your home country. If you are

planning to stay in Ireland longer you must go through the

full driver licencing procedure. The procedure includes:

z Pass a driver theory test

z Apply for a learner permit

z Complete a course of Essential Driver Training

z Pass Your Driving Test

MediaThere are four main Irish television stations. This includes

two operated by the state broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann

(RTÉ), RTÉ One and RTÉ Two, as well as TV3 and UTV Ireland.

There are many daily newspapers in Ireland, including the

Irish Independent, The Irish Examiner, The Irish Times, Irish

Daily Star, and the Herald. There are several ‘Sunday Papers’

published weekly including the Sunday Independent, Sunday

Times and Sunday Business Post.

For local news there are many regional newspapers and

radio stations. Finally an online publication TheJournal.ie is a

popular source of news.


EducationIreland ranks highly as a place to live for people and families

of all ages. There are three main stages to the education

system:

Primary education: Children do not have to attend until

the age of six but it is common for children to start school

the September after a child’s 4th birthday. Key areas of the

curriculum: Languages (English & Irish), mathematics, social,

environment and scientific education, arts education including

visual arts music and drama, physical integration, social

personal and health education.

Post-Primary (Secondary) education: Typically a six year

programme. It consists of a three-year junior cycle followed

by a two-year senior cycle, a single ‘Transition Year’ is

usually is taken following the Junior Certificate examination.

Students generally commence the junior cycle at the age of

12. The senior cycle concludes with a state exam ‘the leaving

certificate’ exam at the end of 6th year.

Third Level: Third-level education is made up of a number of

sectors, universities, Institutes of technologies and colleges

of further education; these are substantially funded by the

State. There are seven universities, which are autonomous

and self-governing. They offer degree programmes at

bachelor, masters and doctorate level.

HealthcareHealthcare in Ireland is two tier (public and private) system.

The healthcare system is governed by the Health Service

Executive. A person may be required to pay subsidised fee for

certain healthcare received depending on income, age, illness

or disability.

Accessing healthcare

Entitlement to health services is primarily based on residency.

Regardless of nationality any person who is accepted by

the HSE as being ‘ordinarily resident’ in Ireland is entitled to

either category 1 (medical card holders) or category 2 (limited

eligibility) of health services.

If you are coming to live in Ireland or returning here to live,

you must satisfy the Health Service Executive (HSE) that

you are “ordinarily resident”. To establish that a person is

ordinarily resident a Health Service Executive (HSE) may

require:

z Proof of property purchase or rental, including evidence

that the property in question is the person’s principal

residence,

z Evidence of transfer of funds, bank accounts, pensions etc,

z A residence permit or visa,

z A work permit or visa, statements from employers etc.

Political SystemThe political system in Ireland is parliamentary democracy.

The national parliament (Oireachtas) consists of the President

and two houses. Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives) and

the Seanad Éireann (the senate) whose functions and powers

come from the constitution of Ireland.

The President exercises his/her power on the advice of the

Government. The President is elected directly by the people

every seven years.

The Members of Dáil Éireann (called Teachta Dála or TDs) are

directly elected by the people at least once every five years.

It currently has 166 members.


For more information please contact;Ciara ConnollyBusiness ManagerGrafton RecruitmentT: +353 (0)1 517 5044E: [email protected]

Head OfficeGrafton Recruitment 26 Fitzwilliam Square SouthDublin 2

n www. graftonrecruitment.com

guide to living & working in the republic of ireland international dialing code: +353 emergency...

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