Czech Workers moving to Ireland

Ireland is among the most powerful EU exporters, mainly in the field of software. In 2002, according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) figures, it was the world’s top leading producer and exporter of software, followed by the United States.

Of the 70,000 foreign workers every year that Ireland is looking to attract through 2011, the most sought-after are those in the high-tech industries, as well as in the construction, health care, tourism and transportation sectors.


Earning potential

Czechs might well be tempted to work on the Emerald Isle after a quick comparison of potential earnings; the Irish minimum wage is five times that of the Czech figure. In Ireland, the minimum wage is fixed at € 7.65 per hour (K? 215), which means an approximate monthly salary of € 1,224 (K? 34,643). In the Czech Republic, the minimum monthly salary is K? 7,185.

The booming economy, or “Irish miracle,” has already prompted nearly 6,000 Czechs to relocate. According to the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, 5,761 Czechs were employed in Ireland in 2005, and the numbers are increasing.

“We’re open to all kind of social categories, but mainly to youth, as they are less constrained by family responsibilities,” Hamill said, adding that a huge advantage Czech relocated workers have is that they can always return freely to their home country, which wasn’t the case 20 years ago.

“Czechs and Irish people are very connected as far as mentality and lifestyle. Our common Celtic roots make the integration much easier,” Hamill said. (Celts had settled in Bohemia by the 5th Century B.C.)

Last year, the economic relations between Ireland and the Czech Republic intensified, with a 25 percent increase in bilateral trade. Major Czech industries use Irish software, mainly in the banking field, while Škoda Auto has become a familiar make for Irish taxi drivers.

“Our openness has been a powerful engine for growth,” claimed Hamill. “It took 30 years for Ireland to become an ‘overnight success,’ but we did it,” he said.






Ireland wants workers to ?know before they go?

Maternity benefits Ireland - not too good

Compared to other European countries - Maternity Benefits in Ireland are not that great. The UK is about the worst - but Ireland isn't far ahead.



Statutory maternity benefit is payable for 22 weeks. If employed, a weekly rate of maternity benefit (= gross income in relevant tax year (second last complete income tax year before the year in which maternity leave starts) divided by the number of weeks actually worked in that year) is paid. 80% of this amount is payable weekly, subject to a minimum payment of EUR 182.60 and a maximum payment of EUR 265.60


The full details of the report are at the link below.

Maternity benefits vary in Europe

Amazon UK restrict deliveries to Ireland

Amazon wa always a handy place to get video games and even TV's and Vacuum cleaners - they used to deliver all these to Ireland - but I found out that from today only books and cds and computer (PC) software will be delivered to Ireland.

An immigrants story

This story of a couple from Moldova who moved to Ireland is from the The Mayo News Online - News>:
"It?s two years since Edward, Tatiana and daughter Alina moved into their Abbey Court home on the outskirts of Ballina. Shortly afterwards, in June of 2004, Stephen - their second child - was born. Later, in December of 2004, Edward and Tatiana celebrated the tenth anniversary of their marriage in Moldova. He is Catholic, she is Orthodox.
After Stephen?s birth they developed a hairstyling salon at the rear of their Killala Road home, where Tatiana now operates a successful indigenous business. Edward considers himself ?lucky? to have happened upon Culkin Commercial Repairs where he has worked as a mechanic since the autumn of 2002. He had been trudging the streets of Ballina in more hope than expectation when he took a chance and followed a small sign to what looked like a private garage. Yet again he deposited a CV but this time there was a call-back, from Kevin Culkin, and soon the wheels were turning. By the turn of the year he was part of the furniture at the Rehins business. Life, at last, was looking up.
?We are more settled definitely. We are more happy because we have the things we need for life. We know many more people, we have many good friends. We?re still hoping it will get better and better, but you have to work more and more for that as well,? Tatiana reflects on how her lifestyle has evolved since Edward?s brainwave to leave Moldovan capital Chisinau for England or Ireland left her reeling at the turn of the century.
?We know our kids are happy here, that?s the main thing. It?s much easier here to give them what they want than there. There [in Moldova] you have to save money so hard to buy something for them. When I go into a toy store here and I see how many toys are in there and I am able to buy any of them really. It?s not so tight for me to buy toys and I mean "

An immigrants story

This story of a couple from Moldova who moved to Ireland is from the The Mayo News Online - News>:
"It?s two years since Edward, Tatiana and daughter Alina moved into their Abbey Court home on the outskirts of Ballina. Shortly afterwards, in June of 2004, Stephen - their second child - was born. Later, in December of 2004, Edward and Tatiana celebrated the tenth anniversary of their marriage in Moldova. He is Catholic, she is Orthodox.
After Stephen?s birth they developed a hairstyling salon at the rear of their Killala Road home, where Tatiana now operates a successful indigenous business. Edward considers himself ?lucky? to have happened upon Culkin Commercial Repairs where he has worked as a mechanic since the autumn of 2002. He had been trudging the streets of Ballina in more hope than expectation when he took a chance and followed a small sign to what looked like a private garage. Yet again he deposited a CV but this time there was a call-back, from Kevin Culkin, and soon the wheels were turning. By the turn of the year he was part of the furniture at the Rehins business. Life, at last, was looking up.
?We are more settled definitely. We are more happy because we have the things we need for life. We know many more people, we have many good friends. We?re still hoping it will get better and better, but you have to work more and more for that as well,? Tatiana reflects on how her lifestyle has evolved since Edward?s brainwave to leave Moldovan capital Chisinau for England or Ireland left her reeling at the turn of the century.
?We know our kids are happy here, that?s the main thing. It?s much easier here to give them what they want than there. There [in Moldova] you have to save money so hard to buy something for them. When I go into a toy store here and I see how many toys are in there and I am able to buy any of them really. It?s not so tight for me to buy toys and I mean "