Dent Recruit Contributor
Ireland is a small island on the Western seaboard of Europe. It’s prone to a lot of rainfall. But its low crime-rate and good standard of living means that it’s currently ranked 14th in the World Happiness Rankings - which means Ireland rates happier than the USA. Thanks to sustained economic growth and the stability of our political landscape, there are lots of benefits to living and working in Ireland, not least for EU and non-EU dentists.
If you’re a dentist in the EU, and you fancy a change in a laid-back, though rainy country then you’re in luck. Your dental qualifications are recognised here. If you’re from elsewhere in the world, it will require a little more paperwork, but it’s entirely possible to register with the Irish Dental Council and start working in a dental clinic.
But before you make the move, here are 5 things to know about Ireland.
Economic success
Buoyed by tech, pharma and engineering growth, Ireland’s economic success story means that wages remain higher than the UK, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. There are employment opportunities for all your family, should you choose to move here. Dublin is the European HQ for many of the tech giants like Meta, LinkedIn, Google and Amazon, with multinational corporations employing one in every eight workers in Ireland. Outside of Dublin, Apple employs over 6000 people in Cork, with big Pharma dominating. Much of this success is down to global corporations seeking a large, educated English-speaking hub in Europe. After Brexit, (Britain’s departure from the EU) Ireland has benefited with many companies ensuring that they opened an office in Dublin too.
But it’s not just tech that has helped Ireland boom. There are lots of jobs in retail, the service industry and elsewhere in the medical profession too, with many doctors and nurses employed in Irish hospitals from outside the EU.
Cost of living
Of course there is a downside to this success. While wages are high, so too is the cost of living, particularly housing. Trying to find a house to live in Dublin has become something of an endurance test for many people, locals and non-nationals alike. There are a few online websites like daft.ie, or myhome.ie that will advertise rentals or house sales. But a lot of the time, word-of-mouth is the only way to get a lead on a property. There can be long queues of people all vying to get the one rental that has been made available. Outside of Dublin, the picture is not as gloomy. There are several large cities like Cork and Limerick in the south, Galway to the West, and Sligo and Letterkenny further north. Housing is not as limited and tends to be a little cheaper.
Groceries, particularly alcohol, tend to be more expensive than southern Europe. Ireland is an island so many goods have to be imported. Also, utilities like electricity and gas are more expensive than other EU countries too.
Education and health
Acknowledging that, Ireland has a lot to offer. With an excellent free educational system from primary all the way up to secondary, the quality of education is regarded as one of the best in Europe. Ireland also provides subsidised pre-schooling for children under the age of four years, through the ECCE scheme. Creches can be quite expensive, so this is very welcome support for parents. Again you’ll find it cheaper outside of Dublin. At third level, Irish universities perform well on the world stage - Trinity College, University College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons to name a few. Irish degrees are generally recognised throughout Europe and internationally in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand too.
When it comes to healthcare, the World Health Organisation lists Ireland as 19th on the overall healthcare system ranking. With good hospitals and healthcare practitioners, Ireland operates a two-tier healthcare system: a public and private health system. You and your family will need to register with a GP and dentist to get access to healthcare but once you’re signed up, getting help is easy. Many people would have health insurance through their employment. There are several providers in the market, and it’s something to consider taking on if you’re looking for a job here.
Family life
Ireland has a lot to offer if you’re looking for a stable, prosperous future for your family. A good work-life balance, easy access to nature and a beautiful countryside to name a few. Even in the capital city, the seaside, mountains or forests are a short train or car ride away. Hiking, canoeing, water sports and cycling are all possible within the main cities and beyond. Outside of Dublin, the west of Ireland is considered the most unspoiled and authentic. You won’t have to travel far to find stunning scenery and genuinely friendly people - some of whom will chat to you in native Gaelic if you like!
With plenty of family friendly neighbourhoods, local sporting organisations and a healthy social scene, meeting people and making connections in Ireland is pretty easy. Often weekends are centred on sporting activities such as the Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) or soccer. The GAA is the heart of community life, particularly in more rural areas. Membership to clubs have a minimal entry fee and kids can join gaelic football or hurling teams which will have them active 3+ times a week. Parents are encouraged to get involved too, with Mothers and others and Dads and lads teams regularly meeting for exercise, fun and social occasions.
Leisure, Cultural, and Social
Ireland is a Catholic country though with same-sex marriage and abortion recently legalised, it’s also a quite liberal country. Whether you’re Christian, Orthodox or Muslim there are many communities across the country who share your faith. Socially the pub is still at the heart of much of Irish life - with live music venues in most cities. The main cities also have theatres and large multiplexes as well as smaller indie cinemas. And if sport is your thing - soccer, basketball, rugby or horse racing - you’ll find something to hold your interest. Local swimming pools and gyms abound, so there’s no reason not to stay fit. Ireland is understandably proud of its history and culture and there are many museums, parks and heritage centres to visit to learn more about Ireland’s past and culture.
Irish people are friendly and generally easy going. Work-life balance is particularly important, with only 5% of employees working very long hours. So if you want to work to live, rather than live to work, consider a move to Ireland. As a dentist you’ll enjoy great opportunities for development and the chance to progress in a career you love. If you’re interested in working as a dentist in Ireland, you’re in the right place. DentRecruit.ie is a one stop recruitment shop for dental candidates and Irish dental clinics. If you’ve trained in the EU, the UAE, UK, or anywhere else in the world, we can help you make the transition to life in Ireland. We’ll look at your qualifications and fluency in English, and guide you on how to sit the Irish Dental Council exams, to get registered as a dentist in Ireland. So get in touch today.
[Imagery Source: Luciann Photography]
