The Emerald Isle is a hotbed of
IT jobs,
with some of the world’s biggest names as residents – Google, eBay and Microsoft to name but a few. Team that with great pay and rapid career progression and the attractions of the so-called Celtic Tiger become apparent.
1. IT is big in the Republic of Ireland
The IT sector is vital to the Irish economy, generating approximately €50 billion each year, and employing 70,000 skilled people.
Manufacturers of computer parts, such as IBM, Hewlett Packard and Dell, are all now resident in Ireland, as are leading US software developers and vendors, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Oracle and Symantec, all of which have based their operations centres here.
So it should come as no surprise that Ireland has now become the number one place for software development in Europe.
Homegrown talent can’t be overlooked either. With around 600 local software development companies, the Republic of Ireland has overtaken the US as the biggest exporter of software in the world. Around 60% of all software sold in Europe originates from the Republic of Ireland.
2. What jobs are out there?
There’s a demand for skilled IT professionals in all fields. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment lists computer systems managers, analysts, programmers and testers among positions eligible for green card permit status.
The Republic of Ireland is suffering from a shortage of qualified IT workers. People with flexible and adaptable skills to readily adapt and respond to ever-changing demands, technologies and processes are in high demand.
The most in-demand positions are for specialists in SQL, .NET, C#, Java, Unix and XML as well as IT project managers, developers and business analysts.
3. What can you expect?
It’s still a relatively young sector, so the average age of employees tends to be around 27 or 28. This means the workplace is often lively with good opportunities to socialise after hours. It also means that career paths are not rigid — if you’re talented, your career progression will be rapid.
If you have a degree in a computer-related area, your starting salary could be anywhere between €20,000 and €30,000.
4. How do you get a work permit?
Jobs with salaries of €30,000 (£23,500) or more are eligible for work permits which are issued directly to employees. They are usually granted for an initial period of two years and can then be renewed for a further period of three years.
Work permit holders are allowed to apply for family reunification after one year..
There are also green card permits, available to most occupations with annual salaries of more than €60,000 (£47,000).
If granted, a green card permit is issued for an initial period of two years. After this, it can be renewed indefinitely and permanent residency can be sought. The green card system also allows for immediate family reunification.
5. What’s the process?
You must have the qualifications, skills and experience required for the job, and be directly employed and paid by your prospective employer. They, in turn, must be trading in Ireland, registered with the Revenue Commissioners and with the Companies Registration Office.
Either you or your prospective employer can make a new application for work permits. You’ll need to do this with the Employment Permits Section of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
You’ll need to include:
• Two recently taken passport-sized photographs
• Documentary evidence that a labour market needs test has been undertaken
• Documentary evidence of your certified qualifications
Your application will take around 2-3 months to process, and can cost up to £850 for a two-year stay. If this is your first time working in Ireland, then you’ll usually have to stay with your new employer for 12 months. After that, you can move to a new employer and apply for a new work permit.
6. Living in the Republic of Ireland
For many, the Republic of Ireland has a magical lure. Aside from the lifestyle and the famous Irish friendliness, few places can claim to be as green, or have as many miles of rugged, unspoilt coastline.
Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Galway are some of the most popular places, and have the most IT jobs.
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With over 8,000 vacancies from over 650 employers to browse, there’s a huge variety of IT jobs on offer with CWJobs. IT professional and contractors can drill down into our jobs database and search by specific skill set, salary and location before applying online today.
Or you can upload your CV today and let employers contact you directly.
Further links:
- New Hewlett Packard jobs for Ireland
- Enterprise IT set to rise
- The continuing rise of IT outsourcing
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