People are always interested in the Cost of Living in Ireland - especially if they are planning on Moving to Ireland.
There has been some recent publicity in Ireland about some new Guidelines on Reasonable Living Expenses that are due to be published by the Insolvency Service. These guidelines are aimed at people who are planning on looking for debt relief (getting debts written off) . To be accepted for debt relief your income has to be below a a certain level AFTER reasonable living expenses.
The figures aren't published yet - but they will probably be similar to the figures poduced by the Vincentian Partnership - which did some work looking at income levels required in Ireland to maintain what they considered to be a minimum essential standard of living. They say that is a standard of living that is based on needs not wants, but it is more than survival.
The figures they use for the weekly spending for a single adult living in an urban environment are given below - and will be useful for anyone trying to work out the cost of living in Ireland.
The figures do not include spending on accommodation (rent or mortgage). The transport figures assume the use of just public transport (no car) in this example.
Weekly Expenditure - Single Person - Total €227.83
( to maintain a minimum essential standard of living. )
Fruit & Vegetables 9.93€
Groceries 16.92€
Meat 15.84€
Milk & Bread 4.25€
Other Food 10.07€
Total Food €57.01
Clothes & Shoes 16.20 €
Computer Equipment 2.48€
Education Costs 3.18€
Transport (Public) 31.45€
Personal Hygiene 10.96€
Cosmetics 3.09€
Health - Over the counter items 0.80€
Health care services 4.28€
Electricity 3.66€
Heating 6.83€
Communications (Phone/ Internet) 10.03€
Household Goods
Furnishings 0.44€
Appliances 0.84€
Kitchen items 0.36€
Cleaning & maintenance 3.10€
Misc 0.75€
Personal Costs (Trade Union / Passport etc) 5.25€
Social Inclusion & Participation
Holiday 9.52€
Exercise / Sport Activities 6.43€
Newspapers, Books & Magazines etc 6.81€
Socialising 15.83€
Insurance
Home / Contents 1.93€
Health 16.59€
Savings & Contingencies 10.00
The weekly budgets were done in March 2012 - and with inflation at about 1% - prices won't have gone up much since then.
Mar 24, 2013
Unfinished Estates and the Property Tax
About 1320 unfinished estates containing about 40,000
houses were exempt from the €100 Household Charge in 2012.
The list of Unfinished Estates that will be exempt from the Property Tax for 2013 until 2016 has been released. There are significantly less properties on the Property Tax list than there were for the Household Charge. The Dept. of the Environment estimate that there are 5000 exempt properties in 421 estates or developments on the 2013 list .
Read all about the Property Tax in Ireland here .
As well as there being less unfinished estates – this time they have selected specific areas within some estates that they class as being in an unfinished area. So – you could have a road or estate where one end is liable for the property tax while houses at the other end are exempt.
You can see if you live on an exempt estate or development here.
Cavan Unfinished Estates
Clare Unfinished Estates
Cork Unfinished Estates
Donegal Unfinished Estates
Dublin Unfinished Estates
Galway Unfinished Estates
Kerry Unfinished Estates
Kildare Unfinished Estates
Kilkenny Unfinished Estates
Laois Unfinished Estates
Leitrim Unfinished Estates
Limerick Unfinished Estates
Longford Unfinished Estates
Louth Unfinished Estates
Mayo Unfinished Estates
Meath
Monaghan
Offaly Unfinished Estates
Roscommon Unfinished Estates
Sligo Unfinished Estates
The list of Unfinished Estates that will be exempt from the Property Tax for 2013 until 2016 has been released. There are significantly less properties on the Property Tax list than there were for the Household Charge. The Dept. of the Environment estimate that there are 5000 exempt properties in 421 estates or developments on the 2013 list .
Read all about the Property Tax in Ireland here .
As well as there being less unfinished estates – this time they have selected specific areas within some estates that they class as being in an unfinished area. So – you could have a road or estate where one end is liable for the property tax while houses at the other end are exempt.
You can see if you live on an exempt estate or development here.
Cavan Unfinished Estates
Clare Unfinished Estates
Cork Unfinished Estates
Donegal Unfinished Estates
Dublin Unfinished Estates
Galway Unfinished Estates
Kerry Unfinished Estates
Kildare Unfinished Estates
Kilkenny Unfinished Estates
Laois Unfinished Estates
Leitrim Unfinished Estates
Limerick Unfinished Estates
Longford Unfinished Estates
Louth Unfinished Estates
Mayo Unfinished Estates
Meath
Monaghan
Offaly Unfinished Estates
Roscommon Unfinished Estates
Sligo Unfinished Estates
Mar 8, 2013
Top Reasons for Moving to Ireland
A 2013 survey of about 140 IT
professionals who have moved to Ireland from abroad found that the thing they most liked about Ireland was the Irish people. 36% of respondents said that the people was the thing they liked
most about Ireland . Job opportunities were also important - with 12.7% saying it was the best thing about Ireland
The top reason for moving to Ireland (36%) was the availability of greater job opportunities.
The second most popular reason was family or
relationship ties (23%), The top reason for moving to Ireland (36%) was the availability of greater job opportunities.
Third was learning English or educational factors (21%)
54.9% of respondents either agreed or slightly agreed that Ireland is a great location for job opportunities.
Working in Ireland seems to enable a good work-life balance, with 82.68pc of respondents either strongly or slightly agreeing with this idea.
55.77pc of respondents strongly agreed that the pace of life in Ireland compared to other countries they had been in is more relaxed.
Mar 2, 2013
Sky Broadband Ireland Prices
Sky - better known for it's satellite television - has recently started offering telephone and broadband in Ireland. It is not via satellite - but down the same phone lines that Eircom and BT use.
There is no need to get any dishes installed - all you need is an Eircom compatible phone line.
You don't need to sign up for Sky TV to get their phone and broadband. The prices are competitive - and they are the cheapest for unlimited downloads. You can get broadband with no limits on data and free off peal calls to landlines for €40 a month. A similar deal from Eircom currently costs €60 a month
Sky Broadband Prices in Ireland
Sky Broadband Lite 2GB limit – €30 per month with sky talk freetime (Free off peak calls) €40 connection fee
Sky Broadband Lite 2Gb Limit – €37.50 per month with sky talk anytime (Free anytime calls) €40 connection fee
Sky Broadband Unlimited – €40 per month with sky talk freetime (Free offpeak calls)
Sky Broadband Unlimited – €47.50 per month with sky talk anytime (free anytime calls)
A free wireless modem is included too.
These prices are available to about 70% of homes in Ireland. In some more rural areas where the exchanges have not been upgraded - the price is €10 a month extra . So the Unlimited broadband bundled with free anytime calls will cost €57.50 a month.
The Sky Talk Anytime as well as free calls to landlines in Ireland 24 hours a day 7 days a week - also includes free calls to landlines in 20 other countries . Great if you have family living abroad.
The countries included in the deal are : Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA (also includes free calls to mobiles in Canada and USA)
There isn't a Sky.ie website but you can Find Out More at Sky Ireland
Dec 18, 2012
Grants for Septic Tank Repair or Upgrade
We wrote earlier in the year about the need to register septic tanks and all other domestic waste water treatment systems in Ireland.
The protectourwater.ie website allows online registration of septic tanks - and the fee is €50 . Registration must be carried out by Feb 1st 2013
The latest news is that if a septic tank or other treatment system FAILS the inspection - then the owners can apply for a grant to help with the cost of repairs or upgrade.
The grants are means tested - and will not be available to anyone with household income over €75000 a year.
Households with income under €50000 will be eligible for 80% of the costs - with a maximum grant of €4000.
People with income between €50000 and €75000 will be able to claim 50% of the cost - with a max payout of €2500.
Only Registered systems will be eligible for the grant IF they fail an inspection.
Inspections will be targeted to areas of high water pollution or areas of high risk.
Unregisterd tanks can also be inspected.
There is a possible maximum fine of €5000 for non registration of septic tanks.
If the government are hoping that people will look after their septic tanks and stop them polluting the water - then this grant scheme may well have the opposite effect.
Why will anyone be worried about failing an inspection ? Why will anyone carry out repairs to septic tanks at their own expense when they can wait for an inspection and then get a grant if/when it fails?
Nov 29, 2012
Property Tax Ireland - How Much ?
Property Tax in Ireland is on the way.
If the government and the Revenue can get things sorted - they hope to be collecting the tax from July
2013
It won't be easy - given the poor registration levels for of the Household Charge. Thousands won't bother registering at all - and it will take loads of man hours and letters and money to track down all the homeowners in Ireland.
Eventually though - if the tax is kept on for ever - when a house is sold it will have to be paid.
But that won't help boost the poor finances of Ireland right now .
How Much Property Tax Will I have to Pay ?
We have a table showing the calculations for a range of house values .
Check out how much property tax will be for you here
The main problem is going to be how to work out the value of your home.
Revenue have produced an interactive valuation guide see more about that Property Tax Valuation Map
Owners will be expected to declare the value of their property - but how will they know what it is worth ?
The only reliable source of house prices is the government property price register . The problem is - that with so few sales - there is not a lot of information to see for many areas Even if there have been sales near you - there is not a scrap of useful information on the price register that allows you to compare houses . The register doesn't have any info about the house type (detached , bungalow, apartment, terraced) or the number of bedrooms . So - no valid comparison can really be made.
It will just be guesswork - with most people probably going for a low value.
I can see thousands of people just declaring the value as low as €50,000 just to pay the minimum charge.
Self assessment is just a way to avoid doing the job properly. Another hashed attempt at pleasing the IMF - which will result in a mess.
If the government and the Revenue can get things sorted - they hope to be collecting the tax from July
2013
It won't be easy - given the poor registration levels for of the Household Charge. Thousands won't bother registering at all - and it will take loads of man hours and letters and money to track down all the homeowners in Ireland.
Eventually though - if the tax is kept on for ever - when a house is sold it will have to be paid.
But that won't help boost the poor finances of Ireland right now .
How Much Property Tax Will I have to Pay ?
We have a table showing the calculations for a range of house values .
Check out how much property tax will be for you here
The main problem is going to be how to work out the value of your home.
Revenue have produced an interactive valuation guide see more about that Property Tax Valuation Map
Owners will be expected to declare the value of their property - but how will they know what it is worth ?
The only reliable source of house prices is the government property price register . The problem is - that with so few sales - there is not a lot of information to see for many areas Even if there have been sales near you - there is not a scrap of useful information on the price register that allows you to compare houses . The register doesn't have any info about the house type (detached , bungalow, apartment, terraced) or the number of bedrooms . So - no valid comparison can really be made.
It will just be guesswork - with most people probably going for a low value.
I can see thousands of people just declaring the value as low as €50,000 just to pay the minimum charge.
Self assessment is just a way to avoid doing the job properly. Another hashed attempt at pleasing the IMF - which will result in a mess.
Property Tax In Ireland - Calculator
The implementation of a Property Tax in Ireland should be complete by July 2013.
The amount of Property Tax you pay will depend on the market value of your house.
Who decides what your house is worth ? You do !
The government haven't got the time or the money to send staff around all the houses in the country to value them - so they expect home owners to do it themselves . They have provided an online map based tool that shows average values - you can read more about the Revenue Valuation Map Here
How will home owners work out how much their house is worth?
If you have recently bought your house - then I suppose the value will be pretty close to what you paid for it . But - for those hundreds of thousands who bought a house several years ago - or got one built it won't be easy to try and place a figure on the value. The recently launched Property Price Register is the only source of house sale prices available - but it doesn't contain any details of house type (detached/semi) , or numbers of bedrooms - nothing except the sale date and price. In rural areas it will be almost impossible to find house sales to use for comparison.
Owners don't have to be too exact with the valuation - there are ranges or band of values with €50k intervals that they have to decide in which band to place their house. It does mean that - for example an apartment valued at €45,000 will be charged the same property tax as a house valued at €99,000. ((€90)
It also means that if someone values a house at €199,000 they will pay €315 - but if they value their house at €201,000 - they will pay €90 more. The property tax will increase by €90 for each band under 1million
Find Out Here - Much More about Property Tax in Ireland
These are the Irish Property Tax Rates for 2013 calculated using a rate of 0.18% on the mid value of each band. (0.25% used on portion of value over 1 Million )
Property Tax Calculator How Much Property Tax Will You Have to Pay ?
On a house Valued at €1.5 Million - the Property Tax will be €1800 plus 0.25% of 500,00 (€1250) giving a total of €3050
House Valued at 2 Million - Property Tax = €4300
The Property Tax is due to take effect from July 2013 - so only 6 months tax will be charged in 2013. The Household charge will be abolished from Jan 2013 and the NPPR is stopping in 2014.
Find out if you can avoid paying the Property TAx Here Property Tax Exemptions
PropertyTax.ie
The amount of Property Tax you pay will depend on the market value of your house.
Who decides what your house is worth ? You do !
 |
| Property Tax Valuation Map |
How will home owners work out how much their house is worth?
If you have recently bought your house - then I suppose the value will be pretty close to what you paid for it . But - for those hundreds of thousands who bought a house several years ago - or got one built it won't be easy to try and place a figure on the value. The recently launched Property Price Register is the only source of house sale prices available - but it doesn't contain any details of house type (detached/semi) , or numbers of bedrooms - nothing except the sale date and price. In rural areas it will be almost impossible to find house sales to use for comparison.
Owners don't have to be too exact with the valuation - there are ranges or band of values with €50k intervals that they have to decide in which band to place their house. It does mean that - for example an apartment valued at €45,000 will be charged the same property tax as a house valued at €99,000. ((€90)
It also means that if someone values a house at €199,000 they will pay €315 - but if they value their house at €201,000 - they will pay €90 more. The property tax will increase by €90 for each band under 1million
Find Out Here - Much More about Property Tax in Ireland
These are the Irish Property Tax Rates for 2013 calculated using a rate of 0.18% on the mid value of each band. (0.25% used on portion of value over 1 Million )
Property Tax Calculator How Much Property Tax Will You Have to Pay ?
| House Value : From | House Value: To | Property Tax € |
| €0 | €100,000 | €90 |
| 100,001 | 150,000 | €225 |
| 150,001 | 200,000 | 315 |
| 200,001 | 250,000 | 405 |
| 250,001 | 300,000 | 495 |
| 300,001 | 350,000 | 585 |
| 350,001 | 400,000 | 675 |
| 400,001 | 450,000 | 765 |
| 450,001 | 500,000 | 855 |
| 500,001 | 550,000 | 945 |
| 550,001 | 600,000 | 1035 |
| 600,001 | 650,000 | 1125 |
| 650,001 | 700,000 | 1215 |
| 700,001 | 750,000 | 1305 |
| 950,001 | 1,000,000 | 1755 |
The Property Tax is due to take effect from July 2013 - so only 6 months tax will be charged in 2013. The Household charge will be abolished from Jan 2013 and the NPPR is stopping in 2014.
Find out if you can avoid paying the Property TAx Here Property Tax Exemptions
PropertyTax.ie
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