Posted by Scott on June 2, 2009, 7:17 am, in reply to "Something I dont think youve ever discussed...."
159.134.204.130
The social welfare safety net is not based on citizenship, but habitual residency. In most situations, two years of residency in Ireland are required before you qualify for things like social welfare. Some are means tested, so you could live here for 200 years as a millionaire and still not qualify.
You can read the full details at the government information site:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/irish-social-welfare-system/social-assistance-payments/residency_requirements_for_social_assistance_in_ireland
Health care, too, is based on residency. What you want to do is get private insurance if you can possibly afford it as soon as you arrive. The 50pc of the population with health insurance gets better service and faster than the fifty percent without.
From the government's citizeninformation.ie web site:
If you are taking up residence in Ireland or returning here to live, you would be regarded as ordinarily resident in Ireland if you satisfy your Health Service Executive (HSE) that it is your intention to remain in Ireland for "a minimum of one year".
To establish that a person is ordinarily resident a Health Service Executive (HSE) may require:
Proof of property purchase or rental, including evidence that the property in question is the person's principal residence.
Evidence of transfer of funds, bank accounts, pensions etc.
A residence permit or visa.
A work permit or visa, statements from employers etc.
In some instances, the signing of an affidavit (a sworn written statement) by the applicant.
The fact that a non-EU national has established their eligibility for health services does not automatically mean that their dependants are also eligible.
Dependants of non-EU nationals may also have to satisfy the above
Scott
--Previous Message--
: Hi Scott, Forgive me if you have discussed
: this before and I have forgotten, but what
: rights will I have as the spouse of an Irish
: National? By that I mean, can I use FAS to
: find a job? Can I use any of the safety net
: stuff setup by the government (for as long
: as it lasts that is)? Am I completely on my
: own when it comes to health care until I am
: working? I already get that Im free to work
: and free to pay taxes. I ask because
: almost everything I found on Google only
: speaks of becoming a citizen after three
: years, but nothing about what is available
: to anyone in that position until then.
:
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