Returning to Ireland - advice and answers needed.

1809allan

I'll be returning to Ireland after a long time away, about 15 years or so.
I have a wife (Japanese) and two daughters (with Irish passports). I am trying to organize and prepare for everything but I know I'll miss something.

I don't need to register my marriage as we got married in New Zealand and can use that licence to prove our marriage.
I have a PPS number. I need to get these for my kids and will do when I get there.
I need to sign on and apply for Job Seekers Allowance and be means tested.
I need to apply for a Medical Card and be means tested again.
I will stay with my parents for a short time but will look for a place to rent so I need rent assistance (?)

And most importantly I need to find a job!!!
Enroll the kids into school

Have I forgotten anything?

Agent_99

As you are returning after so many years you will need to prove "Habitual |Residence" in Ireland (basically you intend to stay) They will require documentation to prove that you have cut ties with your current country. Things like cancellation of bank account, end of rental agreements, the kids have been removed from schools etc.
What part of the country are you planning to return to, what industry are you looking for work?

Social Welfare can be a long drawn out process (months) so be prepared to fight your corner.
Best of Luck
(We are planning to leave Ireland in the next year due to the state of the country ATM, so plan wisely)

mrsbyrne

As Agent 99 says you need to plan for a long, drawn out, protracted process with SW.
The list of evidence that they require you to supply to prove that you have cut all ties with New Zealand and are permanently settled in Ireland can be inexhaustable. And they may still turn you down at the end. Then it will be your resonsibility to prove that they were wrong. The Appeals process is taking over a year at the moment.
It is impossible to over emphasise the impact of the economic crash here in Ireland.
Public spending is absolutley squeezed to the limit. Health services and SW cuts are at almost life threatening levels.
Families are being made homeless and are being housed in hostels and chep hotels.
Hospital corridors are crowded with patients waiting for admission to non-existant beds.
Thousands and thousands of people are leaving for Australia Canada Uk and USA every week .
In every street in every town shops are closing and are boarded up.
If you have enough money to keep your family here with no assistance from the state for at least a year, then do come ahead.
Consider yourself warned.
Basically what SW are doing when the are applying the HRC test to you is ensuring that you are not returning to Ireland with your family to spend some time with your parents , visit with your cousins, give your kids a taste of their Irish heritage, show off the scenery to your wife etc. while picking up some dole while your doing it.
And their absoluely right.
Its easy enough for your wife and kids to get PPS numbers. Apply at your local SW office as soon as you can.
When applying for any SW payment for the first time you will need photo ID and proof af living at the address which you are giving.
If you are staying with your parents then a letter from them might suffice.
You will need PPS numbers for applying for Medical cards.
Medical cards cannot process your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your income.
If your wife intends to stay longer than 3 months she needs to introduce herself to your local immigration officer. He or she can be found at your local Garda station. Immigration officer is usually a part-time occupation for the Guard.
Your wifes being married to an Irish national or having two Irish kids does not give her automatic entitlement to stay.

1809allan

Thanks guys. I knew things were bad but you paint a terrible picture. Still, I want to try this because I am not happy in Japan. And I can agree with them checking to make sure I'll stay and not just come for an extended, and paid, holiday.
But I want to work. I want to live there.
So, to prove Habitual Residence I need proof of closing bank accounts and cancellation of rental agreements. Okay.

Anything else?

Agent_99 - I haven't set myself to live anywhere specific. South East if possible but it's not a must. As for the industry, again, anything goes. Whatever and wherever. I am some qualifications but nothing fantastic. I have some ideas though.

mrsbyrne

The picture i paint is the real picture. I really really hope that you reseaerch this life changing desicion before you move.
Please read this:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/social_assistance_payments/residency_requirements_for_social_assistance_in_ireland.html
in particular this:
Documentation

If the DSP needs more information to decide whether you are habitually resident in the Republic of Ireland you may be asked to fill out the HRC1 form (pdf).
Regardless of what country you are coming from you may be asked to provide documentary evidence that shows your 'centre of interest' is now in Ireland. This evidence should show that you have moved to Ireland, you intend to settle in Ireland permanently and you do not intend to go back to live in the country you came from.
Where possible, you should provide the following documentary evidence:
Proof to show you have given up accommodation abroad
Proof that you have cancelled or applied to cancel any non-transferable benefits
Proof you have transferred or applied to transfer any transferable income
Proof to show measures you have put in place to open a bank account here
Proof to show you have a tenancy in your own name (in Ireland)
Proof of travel documents including, where relevant, excess baggage fees and removal/shipping receipts
All evidence presented will be authenticated, as far as is possible, by the relevant Officer. In some cases you may be asked to submit further documentary evidence. In certain cases, a Social Welfare Inspector may investigate your application.
I have emboldened two significant parts.

A very good idea to look at all the links as well. You would be wise to take the time.

Thoie

Don't bank on getting rent allowance - it's not a "sure thing".

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

In general you have to have been renting privately (and not from your parents) for 6 months, and show that you could afford the rent when you moved in, which in your case it doesn't look like you'll be able to do.

There's also an upper limit on how much the place you're renting costs. For a couple with 2 children in Wexford, the place you're renting can't cost more than €540 a month. If you do qualify for rent allowance, you won't get that full €540 - you'll be expected to pay some of it yourself.

Take a look on daft.ie to get an idea of the rental properties out there. In most of Co. Wexford, your €540 will get you a 3 bed/1 bath house, though there are a few with more bedrooms/bathrooms. The down side is that many of the places that are within your budget may be off the beaten track, and you probably can't afford to run a car on social welfare.

1809allan

@ mrsbyrne - it sounds like you advise against returning to Ireland.

mrsbyrne

I advise against returning to Ireland unless you have fully researched your move including by at least reading the link i supplied.
I advise against returning to Ireland unless you can financially support your family without state assistance for at least a year.
i am not scaremongering or being sensationalist or over dramatic I have huge experience and I know what im talking about. Others will be along here presently with more advise.

1809allan

I have read the article. And it will be hard for me to prove Habitual Residence.
I didn't mean to offend. I thank you for your time in responding to my request.
You are very direct.

mrsbyrne

1809allan wrote: »

I have read the article. And it will be hard for me to prove Habitual Residence.
I didn't mean to offend. I thank you for your time in responding to my request.
You are very direct.

Oh you havnt offended me one bit.
Indeed I apologise if i come across as curt. I dont mean it badly, just dont want you labouring under the illusion that the welcome mat is out for returning sons and daughters. best of luck with whatever you decide.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

1809allan

just don't want you laboring under the illusion that the welcome mat is out for returning sons and daughters.

I don't expect hands out and big hugs just because I am returning to Ireland

If you do qualify for rent allowance, you won't get that full €540 - you'll be expected to pay some of it yourself.

I don't expect to have all my rent paid. Of course!

My aim is not to depend any kind of Social Welfare to live in Ireland. Why would I give up a life here, in Japan where I have a home and job, just to live off the benefits there?

I will try to find work so that I can support my family myself.

Anyway, thank you to all those that replied.

Agent_99

Can I take it that after spending so many years away that you have a good command of Japanese? as this is a skill that may put you on the road to a good job. there are plenty of companies requiring international languages for customer service or sales positions

1809allan

My Japanese is good enough for daily living, not so sure about work. They are rather picky about how you speak to people. But it's a maybe

wmpdd3

The good thing is if you were to get some part time work (of which there is more of about) and get all your PPS type stuff sorted, you may be able to claim FIS.

I may be wrong but I don't see any mention of HR for this payment.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/family_income_supplement.html