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Irish lessons for the UK

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Comments

  • Pobby
    Pobby Posts: 5,438 Forumite
    Yes of course Irelands problems are a lot worse than the U.K. It is a country that, I also enjoyed, visiting on business on and off for over 30 years. The EU pumped in the cash and the guys partied.

    Mind you, I wouldn`t mind a portion of the 219 euro state pension in a few years, but then again, that`s another subject.
  • marklv
    marklv Posts: 1,768 Forumite
    Really ? You obviously haven't researched this very well

    Some examples of the difference in welfare payments...

    Childrens Allowance
    UK = €23 / week 1st child, €15 a week subsequent children
    Ireland = €39 per week first & second children, €46 / week subsequent children.

    State Pension
    UK = €105 / week contributory pension
    Ireland = €219 / week pension.

    Twice the UK state pension! :mad:
  • kennyboy66_2
    kennyboy66_2 Posts: 2,598 Forumite
    Kohoutek wrote: »
    It wasn't the things Osborne is referring to that led to Ireland's problems, it was their property bubble and banking system (remind you of anywhere?).

    Osborne is highlighting in that article Ireland's excellent education system, its incentives for innovation and low business taxes. That's what Ireland is relying on for future prosperity once their very painful austerity package is finished.


    Your ignorance about Ireland is on a par with Osbournes.

    As well as all the other points that posters have made, Irelands education performance is not significantly different than the UK's

    Better at reading, roughly the same for maths and worse for science.
    US housing: it's not a bubble

    Moneyweek, December 2005
  • tara747
    tara747 Posts: 10,238 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Really ? You obviously haven't researched this very well

    Some examples of the difference in welfare payments...

    Childrens Allowance
    UK = €23 / week 1st child, €15 a week subsequent children
    Ireland = €39 per week first & second children, €46 / week subsequent children.

    State Pension
    UK = €105 / week contributory pension
    Ireland = €219 / week pension.

    Child benefit is quite generous enough in the UK thanks!!! Getting money from the taxpayer just to have children !!!!!!! Ireland's child benefit allowance is ridiculous, especially as it increases the more children you have. :mad: It should be paid for a maximum of two children imho.

    Pensions are another story, I actually think the UK state pension is a bit too low.
    Get to 119lbs! 1/2/09: 135.6lbs 1/5/11: 145.8lbs 30/3/13 150lbs 22/2/14 137lbs 2/6/14 128lbs 29/8/14 124lbs 2/6/17 126lbs
    Save £180,000 by 31 Dec 2020! 2011: £54,342 * 2012: £62,200 * 2013: £74,127 * 2014: £84,839 * 2015: £95,207 * 2016: £109,122 * 2017: £121,733 * 2018: £136,565 * 2019: £161,957 * 2020: £197,685
    eBay sales - £4,559.89 Cashback - £2,309.73
  • Pobby
    Pobby Posts: 5,438 Forumite
    tara747 wrote: »
    Child benefit is quite generous enough in the UK thanks!!! Getting money from the taxpayer just to have children !!!!!!! Ireland's child benefit allowance is ridiculous, especially as it increases the more children you have. :mad: It should be paid for a maximum of two children imho.

    Pensions are another story, I actually think the UK state pension is a bit too low.

    I think that the state pension has become something that relies pretty much on means testing. With the pension credit element that does provide a certain warranted amount. So a couple, with a full contribution history would receive around £260. If no other income or savings of £6,000 or less.

    It`s no doubt a liveable amount but not generous. I agree that it is on the low side and it would be ideal if it was increased by perhaps a further 50% but funding would be difficult.
  • tara747
    tara747 Posts: 10,238 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I don't see why you should get less pension if you have savings. Great - be penalised in retirement for making sacrifices and being frugal while those who have spent like there's no tomorrow get extra money. :mad: This really bugs me in general and I imagine lots of people try to get around it one way or another.
    Get to 119lbs! 1/2/09: 135.6lbs 1/5/11: 145.8lbs 30/3/13 150lbs 22/2/14 137lbs 2/6/14 128lbs 29/8/14 124lbs 2/6/17 126lbs
    Save £180,000 by 31 Dec 2020! 2011: £54,342 * 2012: £62,200 * 2013: £74,127 * 2014: £84,839 * 2015: £95,207 * 2016: £109,122 * 2017: £121,733 * 2018: £136,565 * 2019: £161,957 * 2020: £197,685
    eBay sales - £4,559.89 Cashback - £2,309.73
  • bigheadxx
    bigheadxx Posts: 3,047 Forumite
    Pobby wrote: »
    I think that the state pension has become something that relies pretty much on means testing. With the pension credit element that does provide a certain warranted amount. So a couple, with a full contribution history would receive around £260. If no other income or savings of £6,000 or less.

    It`s no doubt a liveable amount but not generous. I agree that it is on the low side and it would be ideal if it was increased by perhaps a further 50% but funding would be difficult.

    Dont forget that you get full HB and CTB with pension credit so it is £260 after housing costs. There are also premiums if you claim other benefits ie Attendance Allowance where a single person would have an income of £270 p/w after housing costs.
  • ireland deserve to be where they are. their welfare system is ridiculous. they have shopping centres opening up with harvey nics in them!!! they are mad. 7 euros for a guiness
  • robin_banks
    robin_banks Posts: 15,778 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    marklv wrote: »
    Twice the UK state pension! :mad:

    My dad's Irish, he left Ireland as a teenager in the early 1950's and hasn't paid any tax or NI to Ireland in the 40 odd years he worked in Engalnd, when he retired in 1996 he got a more than decent pension which he is still drawing now.

    He even checked to see if it was an overpayment, it wasn't. His is a pension Ireland cannot afford. Just how many Irish in their 60's, 70's and beyond with similiar circs to my dad are in reciept of this?.
    "An arrogant and self-righteous Guardian reading tvv@t".

    !!!!!! is all that about?
  • eamon
    eamon Posts: 2,322 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    There is no doubt that many Irish people, government & business's were befuddled by rising house prices, cheap money etc. But don't be misled by the "high" wages as compared to the UK. What they also experienced was a spiral of wage inflation and this fed into the purchasing of goods & services. Not forgetting VAT at 21%.
    €200 in Ireland buys a lot less than €200 in the UK.
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