Key facts
Population: 4,203,200 (July 2010 est.)
Languages: English, Irish
Major cities: Dublin (capital), Cork, Galway
Currency: Euro
Working hours: up to 48 hours a week
Days’ holiday: four weeks plus 9 public holidays
Key industries
Brewing, chemicals, clothing, food products, glass and crystal, machinery, pharmaceuticals, ship construction and refurbishment, software, steel, tourism.
Country overview
After centuries of warfare, Ireland officially made peace with the United Kingdom when it gained its independence in 1921. The conflict didn’t end, particularly with respect to Northern Ireland, but Ireland has become a significant nation in its own right. It joined the European Community in 1973 and was one of the original countries to use the Euro. Since this time, it has been transformed from a country that relied largely on agriculture to a high-tech nation that is modern and lively.
Labour market
Ireland’s booming economy was hard hit by the recession – some say it faced the worst depression in the developed world. Its manufacturing and construction sectors have contracted sharply since the onset of the credit crunch. There are tentative signs of improvement but it is by no means assured. Despite the downturn, there may be shortages in IT, engineering (particularly electronics), scientific and medical development. Linguists are also in demand.
Over one third of the population lives in the Dublin area so it’s not surprising that there is a concentration of jobs there – recent statistics show 56 per cent of graduates work in the east of the country. Other major centres of employment are Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, with many companies taking advantage of cheaper land and the better quality of life offered by these locations.
The working culture is best defined as friendly. English is the mother tongue of most of the population. Networks are very important because this is a small country so you can expect to develop links within your business community.
Application methods
Your first port of call for information and jobs should be FAS – Ireland’s training and employment agency. Visit their website www.fas.ie or one of the offices, which are located in all major towns. You may also find it useful to register with a private recruitment agency, as well as to pursue jobs that are advertised in newspapers and online.
The market is competitive as there are more graduates chasing jobs than ever before. Many large companies have established graduate recruitment programmes and, increasingly, application is by online application systems. Other employers accept a CV and covering letter, often by e-mail. These should always be typed, not hand written.
Potential problems
Intense competition may make it hard to secure a job, but most employers still have a positive attitude to foreign applicants.
Standard of living and lifestyle
Dublin is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Food, drink and travel generally cost above the European average. The rest of Ireland, however, tends to be more affordable. Rented accommodation is generally available.
Pubs are at the heart of Irish social life. Many pubs also offer live entertainment and music, as well as food. Music pervades life in Ireland – both traditional and modern bands thrive in Ireland and abroad. The country also has many places of natural beauty and historical importance, and traditional sports are popular.
Useful websites
EURES European Job Mobility Portal
gradireland
National Recruitment Federation