Worldway International Group has learned that recently, the Irish government announced its budget plan for 2019, covering education, healthcare, housing, taxation, and other aspects closely related to people's livelihoods.
It is worth mentioning that the Irish government plans to allocate nearly €10 billion to invest in the education sector this year, accounting for 15% of the government’s fiscal plan (a total of €9.822 billion), which is a 3.5% increase (€33.2 million) compared to 2018. This might also explain why Ireland has the highest percentage (43%) of the population aged 25-64 with third-level qualifications in the European Union.
OECD Ranking of Higher Education Attainment among 25-64 Year Olds in EU Countries
Regarding the education welfare sector, the changes in government fiscal plan expenditures mainly consist of two parts:
1. Early Childhood Education Sector
The Irish government plans to allocate €1.5 billion in 2019 to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to support early childhood care and education initiatives. Currently, the Irish government has introduced the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program, providing childcare subsidies and free early education courses for children aged 6 months to 5 years and 6 months.
2. School Infrastructure Sector
In 2019, the government will subsidize €941 million (an increase of €196 million from 2018) for the improvement and enhancement of school infrastructure. This includes the construction and renovation of teaching buildings for primary and secondary schools, as well as the provision of additional educational facilities; increasing information and communication technology (ICT) allowances for higher education institutions to support Ireland's digital education strategy.
What other significant changes are there besides education?
The minimum wage has been increased again!
2019 will see the minimum wage in Ireland rise to €9.80/hour and €1,656.20/month. Ireland's wage standard reached €1,614/month in 2018, ranking second in the EU!
The standard for the "Drug Subsidy Scheme" has been lowered again!
In Ireland, each household only needs to pay a maximum of €134 per month for prescription medications or certain medical equipment, with the excess covered by the government. Starting April 1, 2019, the threshold for the Irish "Drug Subsidy Scheme" will be reduced to €124, meaning each household’s monthly expenditure on medication will only amount to €124, with any excess fully covered by the government!
Enormous government spending on education, extremely high wage standards, and excellent government social welfare perfectly illustrate Ireland in 2019. In a country renowned for its educational quality, leading wage standards in the EU, and social welfare comparable to Nordic countries, what are you waiting for?
Currently, by investing in government-approved donation projects in Ireland, a donation of €500,000 (with group donations reduced to €400,000) allows the entire family to apply for Irish residency and enjoy the generous benefits of the Emerald Isle. For more immigration details: please consult Worldway International: 400-138-2929.
