ggeitsee
8/17/2016 19:53 EST
To those that have an interest in the subject of Retirees wanting to ‘Retire in Ireland’:
It has come to my attention that this cause needs more representation from our own Congressman. I have comprised a ‘Blanket’ letter BELOW that one can ‘cut and paste’ and email on to your own Congressman or Government official in their location. You will have the ability to use the letter ‘as is’ or ‘jazz it up’ if you like. The main purpose is to get the word out to your representative for your area. Some Congressman and Irish officials are very aware of this issue; however the more that become connected to the subject, the more the subject will be heard. Also make CONTACT with the
Irish Embassy in Washington, Ambassador Anne Anderson, Irish Embassy in Washington, 2234 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008, Tel. 202-462-3939 and/or Ambassador Kevin F O’Malley, United States Embassy in Dublin, Ireland (murphyjb@state.gov) U.S. Embassy Dublin, 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
If you can call and make contact with them that is good. The sooner the better. This situation is sitting in front of Tánaiste and Minister of Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald (frances.fitzgerald@oir.ie or minister@justice.ie) at this present time for an evaluation and review. The more support we have the more the Irish will take notice. The Irish Embassy in the United States will not ignore us. If you cannot call, EMAIL or WRITE as soon as you can. Ambassador Anne Anderson stands behind us on this subject and the more people she hears from the more power we can have. I have had personal contact with her Twice and know she is willing to go forward helping us. So if you feel you can, please pass this on to your Congressman, and the Irish Embassy, along with your friends, family, coworkers, or whomever so that can also pass on their concerns. Wishing us all the best of luck……………..
THE LETTER
8/13/16
Dear :
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you in advance for reading this letter. I am trying to reach out to my Government representative in my area that can possibly help me, concerning an International connection between Ireland and the United States. I would appreciate if you can read this letter and understand the importance of the subject. I would like you to see a situation that is affecting Americans and Irish together.
Once you have digested the information and feel you want to support us, would you, as one of our Congress Representatives, please contact: Ambassador Anne Anderson, Irish Embassy in Washington, 2234 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008, Tel. 202-462-3939 and
Ambassador Kevin F O’Malley, United States Embassy in Dublin, Ireland (murphyjb@state.gov) U.S. Embassy Dublin, 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Ambassador Anne Anderson is aware of this subject, is very interest and concerned, and more than willing to continue looking into this matter. Presently Tánaiste and Minister of Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald (frances.fitzgerald@oir.ie or minister@justice.ie), is fully aware of this issue and has her officials conducting an evaluation and review on it as we speak. Hence, the sooner we contact the Embassies, the sooner they will have contact with the Minister of Justice and Equality, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Time is of the essence and your contacting the Embassies would have such a significant effect. We have been hearing that the Embassies need, and want, to hear from more Congressional Representatives regarding this issue, thus showing the support and need for change.
The issue concerns American Retirees that would like to retire in Ireland. This is my generation of ‘baby boomers’ and you might be on that same track. New rules created in March of 2015 by INIS of and the Irish Ministry of Justice and Equality greatly tightened the requirements for residency in Ireland for retirees. These rules are much more restrictive than previous rules and are causing a number of retirees to leave Ireland under threat of deportation. Also, people that were planning to retire to Ireland are now ‘on hold’ with their plans of retirement in Ireland.
Among the rule changes are the re-categorization of retirees as short-term residents similar to tourists and other temporary guests rather than long-term residents entitled to apply for permanent residency and a path to citizenship. Thus the requirement went from a Stamp 3 to a Stamp 0 for INIS.
These new rule changes also require very high income and cash requirements for applicants wanting to retire to Ireland. For example, a retiree to Ireland must now document retirement income of at least €50,000 per person and €150,000 per person and in saving €300,000 per couple. These figures far exceed the average income of Irish pensioners and working Irish families. More importantly, these figures far exceed the costs necessary to live in Ireland in order to avoid becoming a burden on the Irish State. Additionally, other forms of retirement wealth such as real estate holdings, stocks and bonds, bank accounts, etc. are ignored under these new rules.
There are two main issues:
1. The Current American that retired in Ireland, before the Immigration law changed, has now seen their lives completely changed. What they knew as a home is now in jeopardy for now they are told what they have been living on Ireland is now not sufficient. If they do not meet the new requirements they must leave.
2. Then there are the Americans here in the states that have planned for their retirement in Ireland, only to find out they cannot meet the requirements now. Thus they have put their lives ‘on hold’ as to how to proceed on this subject. Some people have planned for years. Even as much as buying property in Ireland or opening a bank account and now they cannot follow on their dreams due to the upfront income they must have in order to live in Ireland.
Many people are aware of this issue and have become vocal and supportive, finding ways to bring this issue to the media and out to the public. At present there are two petitions created that are currently being directed to Tánaiste and Minister of Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald:
https://www.change.org/p/fergus-odowd-td-in-ireland-let-americans-retire-in-ireland
https://www.change.org/p/help-the-global-irish-retire-to-ireland
Along with the petitions, there are presently many articles in publications such as IrishCentral.com and the Irishecho.com., written on the issue of American Retirees living in Ireland. Here are the most current publications addressed to the reading public:
http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/travel/Online-petition-aims-to-end-tough-restrictions-on-retiring-to-Ireland.html
http://irishecho.com/2016/08/u-s-retirees-urge-change-in-rules/
Then we have the list of current officials that have been presented informed on this topic, or are currently helping with the topic:
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Billy Lawless, recently appointed to the Seanad (Irish Senate)
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan
Joe McHugh T.D., Minister of State for the Diaspora
Deputy Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Joan Burton T.D. Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail
Sean Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, United Left)
Pearce Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael
The Irish Nationalisation and Immigration Service
The Consulate General of Ireland in New York City
The Irish Embassy in San Francisco
Niall O’Dowd the CEO-Editor and Chief of IrishCentral.com
Anne Anderson – Ambassador from Ireland to the United States
The US Embassy in Dublin
Congressman Charles Schumer
Congressman Bill Pascrell
Congressman Joseph Crowley
Congressman Pete King
Jeh Johnson- Secretary of Homeland Security
Sarah Saldana – Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Prime Minister of Ireland- Enda Kenny
Given the information above, please read for more information and understanding, the petitions and the article and contact the officials if you decide to. I am currently reaching out to all my elected local Government officials for help and support on this subject. Each one of us, God willing, will be retiring and wanting to explore new avenues in our life. Even if these retirees may not want to retire in the United States, they still deserve to have the backing of the United States government for which they are citizens. Please help us by supporting the issue, making contacts to other officials and getting the word out. Hopefully the support in this issue will make the Irish American Relationship even stronger as we work together.
Sincerley,
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pacnwboonies
8/22/2016 11:56 EST
Thank you for posting this letter. Nice job! I hope there will be people showing an interest in utilizing this content and contacting Congress representatives in their areas. If so, would be great to hear from anyone deciding to do so and what States they are doing so we know which States are being reached, and not reached. I hope to hear feedback here. I have, previously, sent to Representatives in WA and OR State.
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heartsinireland
9/2/2016 20:29 EST
Just in case people are cutting and pasting: Be sure to correct spelling of "sincerely" and fix the sentence about finances: annual income of 50k euros per individual, 100k euros per couple, plus backup funds of 150k euros per individual and 300k euros per couple.
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ggeitsee
9/3/2016 08:00 EST
thanks for catching the spelling errors. As stated , it was a cut and paste and one could change the letter.
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KevinfromKinsaleviaNYC
9/3/2016 08:03 EST
In addition to your own elected representatives, I also recommend finding elected officials who are affiliated with Irish American political caucuses such as the Congressional Friends of Ireland or who are members of the Committee on Homeland Security or Foreign Affairs.
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hereineir
9/12/2016 09:19 EST
My congressman replied to me by saying that he cannot intervene in international immigration issues. Zero help. I also contacted the Irish Embassy in San Francisco, and received a sympathetic but unhelpful response. I'll write to the Embassy in DC and see what, if anything happens.
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KevinfromKinsaleviaNYC
9/13/2016 13:05 EST
Here is the long awaited press release:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/The_T%C3%A1naiste_and_Minister_for_Justice_and_Equality_announces_a_public_consultation_on_a_review_of_Ireland%E2%80%99s_immigration_policy_for_non-EEA_retirees_who_wish_to_retire_in_Ireland
Included in the release is a link to the draft policy which can be downloaded and/or printed out:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Public_Consultation_Sept_2016_-_Non-EEA_Retirees.pdf/Files/Public_Consultation_Sept_2016_-_Non-EEA_Retirees.pdf
The closing date for submissions Comments or questions to the Ministry) is Monday 31 October 2016.
Submissions may be emailed to retireesreview@justice.ie
or may be posted to
Retirees Review
Immigration Policy
Room 501(5th Floor)
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
D02 XK70
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heartsinireland
9/13/2016 14:29 EST
PLEASE NOTE: This only appears to be looking at hopefuls, those wishing to go to Ireland. It seems to ignore folks like me who were booted out of the country and those still there struggling to remain. You might want to include that in anything you submit.
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Meachair54
9/13/2016 18:09 EST
Read what the Ministry of Justice had to say on the subject of non EU citizens wanting to retire,to Ire. Seems like they are trying to accommodate the non EU groups with the new proposals they are putting forward, but people are still complaining about the proposal for instance the age requirement of 60 to 70, that's the usual age of retirement. Lowering the amount of cash per year and amount in the bank, as well as making to process a little easier.
You have to admit the Ministry of Justice is right no other non EU countries reciprocate or even let non citizens in their countries unless they're famous or big business owners or multi - millionaires. Ireland seems to be moving in the right direction, like I said before it takes a long time for the wheels of government to move on a particular law no matter what it is. No politicians from an outside country is going to influence change especially if there is no give and take especially when it comes to immigration reform when the other countries are just as strict. So it looks like a start if they enact those proposals at the closing date of the hearings.
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KevinfromKinsaleviaNYC
9/14/2016 08:17 EST
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/The_T%C3%A1naiste_and_Minister_for_Justice_and_Equality_announces_a_public_consultation_on_a_review_of_Ireland%E2%80%99s_immigration_policy_for_non-EEA_retirees_who_wish_to_retire_in_Ireland
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Public_Consultation_Sept_2016_-_Non-EEA_Retirees.pdf/Files/Public_Consultation_Sept_2016_-_Non-EEA_Retirees.pdf
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cavan47
1/23/2017 17:30 EST
My problem is when I applied for social security to be electrically transferred to my AIB bank in Dublin social security could not do that as there are too many numbers/letters to get entered and their system could only enter the same amount of characters as they use here, I did not want the cheque sent by post due to strikes when I would need money or fear cheque getting lost. Also my pension cannot get sent out of country. I do not want to deal with hitting mac/atms and cost involved in withdrawals. I am desperate, single, senior citizen about to retire and return to Ireland Can someone help me? Thanks Mary
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dave8408e
1/23/2017 18:55 EST
We have no problems getting SS payments sent to our Irish account with Ulster Bank. Phone the bank and ask them exactly what they need for the funds to transfer...e.g. sort code, branch number etc. Don't panic! This will work itself out.
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heartsinireland
1/23/2017 19:38 EST
Social Security direct deposit is handled through the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. That is the ONLY way you will get the change made. I had AIB bank while living in Kerry and had absolutely no problems getting my deposits changed from USA bank to my AIB acct. in Ireland, and then changed back again after 3 years.
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Meachair54
1/23/2017 20:02 EST
Hello Cavan 74 , if you type in online Direct Deposit Sign Up Form (Ireland) you will find the form in a PDF file which you can download , if you can't.or don't want to on the bottom of the form they have contact numbers to get help with your situation....... Good luck !!!!
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Joshuak
1/23/2017 20:48 EST
I am Dual Citizen, but I never intended to live the rest of my life in Ireland. But we did lease a small house for a year in Wexford county. We are now back in the US at our Florida home. I also still have a AIB account. I did not set up a transfer of my SS or other pensions directly to the AIB bank. I used ATMs for free. In our town there was Bank of Ireland, AIB, and one other Bank chain available. The trick is to get an account here in the US that have no "Foreign Transaction Fees" on a debit card. Those Irish Bank ATMs did not charge for ATM use. You can use Capital one 360, USAA, or Ally Bank. I did not find Discover card, Bank of America, or Amex very good. You could use these to tide you over until you can get the SS changed, or use them the whole time. The exchange rates on the US ones was excellent. I noticed if you send Dollars to the AIB bank they kind of rip you off on exchange rate. I did that once and lost about 2% over official Rate. I am sure the other do that too. I used the AIB ATM which is on the outside wall of their branch and then took the Euros inside and deposited in my account in their automatic machines or at the window if there was no line.
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Joshuak
1/23/2017 22:03 EST
In reality, the only people in the US Government that have the right to contact the Irish Government is the US State Dept. Elected Representatives and Senators really do not have that right. I know they do it, but it is against the law which is mostly ignored. This reminds me of people in other countries wanting to immigrate to the US. The State Dept has consulates overseas for that purpose and there is a orderly process to do that. There is quotas for each country. Think of it this way: The area of the Republic of Ireland is 27000 square miles. The area of the US is 3,800,000 Square miles. That is 140 times larger than Ireland. We have 324 million people in the US. The Republic of Ireland has 4.8 million people. We have 67 times more population. If just a small percentage of US retirees moved to Ireland you would overwhelm them. If I was an elected member of the Dail I would vote to keep the 50,000 - 100,000 income requirement as some day soon it will cost much more to live there than now. A lot of younger families migrated from Ireland to Australia and New Zealand during the economic slow down in 2009 - 2014. There were not so many jobs then. Now some are coming back as they will need younger people to work, not a bunch of retired US non workers. And when they do fill all the jobs, housing will be hard to find as it is right now. Medical will become a big issue as time goes on. Right now if you have a good income and money in the bank, you cannot get a Medical card. You have to pay out of pocket. US residents moving there will have to buy insurance which is not cheap. The Irish economy has always been like a YO-YO, up and down. Did you ever think about other larger European countries that are even cheaper to live in ? How about Romania or Hungary. Yes there is a different language to partially learn, but right now almost every child in school over the age of 9 can speak English. I lived for a few months in Romania and a few months in Hungary. Both were easy to get around using public transport or really cheap taxis. Cost of living was a fraction of Ireland's. Other countries such as Croatia and Montenegro have cheap cost of living and are beautiful. I look at it this way: sooner than later Americans will wear out their welcome in Ireland as there will be too many putting a burden on the health system and social welfare system. My Mother's country is a great place to visit, but Americans will find it may not be as nice for full time living as you thought. Be careful what you wish for. Best advice is to go for 90 days in winter and see if you like it. No visa required for US passport holders. Better still, Just visit for a month and then go to some other Eastern European countries for a couple of weeks each. You may see what I am writing about. After that you may rethink where you wish to live. The US is not such a bad place once you look around.
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heartsinireland
1/23/2017 23:03 EST
I'm curious as to when the last time it was you traveled around Ireland to see all the empty brand new homes, half-built homes, homes in need of restoration, all sitting empty. Also, retirees wanting to live in Ireland aren't going to be taking jobs from anyone. We are not allowed to work even if we wanted to, but "retired" means no longer working. I believe you are fearful of something that is not a threat, but rather could be a great help to Ireland's economy. Americans spending money earned in America and paying Irish health insurance companies for private health coverage.... And the issue is...?
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Meachair54
1/24/2017 05:56 EST
Hello Heartsinireland, This topic has been discussed to great lengths on this site now it's like kicking a dead horse to get up! Ireland listened to all the concerns retirees had about the so called walls Ire. But up to stop retirees , but they didn't ,they actually. Had hearing and debates . They will if approved by they're lawmakers will be lowering the amount of cash one must have in savings .Ireland gave an ear to all outsiders complaints and tried to ease the perceived prejudice against non Eu citizens wanting to retire in Ireland. This topic was discussed and argued back and forth on this site and now awaiting the lawmakers decision . The changes are not what non EU's want, they want the cake , the recipe and eat it too. Not going to happen. ,but the lawmakers have eased up on the cash qualifications so they did something even thou they didn't even have to do that. Once again just waiting on the Irish lawmakers....... Have a great day !!!
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Joshuak
1/24/2017 18:07 EST
heartsinireland and ggeitsee, First of all, what makes you think Ireland owes you and other US Citizens a spot in their country ? If you do not have relatives that gives you dual citizenship, you need to comply with their rules about immigration. Yes I understand some people were told when they moved there if they bought medical insurance and re registered for residency for 3 years in a row, they could stay forever. But I am sure some smart members of their Government figured out some day they would be too many sucking on their social welfare system. Please understand, when one gets citizenship in Ireland, there are perks for retirees that cost the Government money. Yet you never worked there and paid taxes into their system. One of the perks My wife got was a free public transport pass on her PPS card. And she was not a citizen. As far as I know, every resident over 65 gets this. If you take that PPS card that says FT+S in the left hand top corner to the train station, they will print out a train ticket most all routes in Ireland for free. And if you look on that ticket it says "Social Welfare" stamped on the ticket. Also retirees with residency cards get free TV license (170 Euro a year), and 31 Euro a month electricity credit. Then if those that immigrated successfully before the rule change had minimal income, some day as inflation advances, and they did not have enough backup savings, they would end up with a free medical card. US immigrants could overwhelm their systems. As it is, in the past few years they have had a shortage of Doctors and medical staff. My neighbors were all Native Irish, and used to tell me about having to wait to see their Doctor or have getting testing done at the Hospital. We moved back to our Florida home in 2015. We leased the house in Enniscorthy in 2013 and spent a whole year there and then spent some time in my Mother's city of Cork. We never intended to remain in Ireland for the rest of our lives, but we could have. Hey, the US has Immigration Quotas. Ireland should also.
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heartsinireland
1/24/2017 20:22 EST
I didn't say anything about being "owed", simply stated some facts. As far as social welfare benefits - you are WRONG. No American is receiving ANY Irish social welfare unless they are doing so fraudulently and that includes a TV license. I am not talking about citizenship, but rather the Stamp 0 temporary residency. American retirees receive NO Irish benefits and cost the government nothing.
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heartsinireland
1/24/2017 20:29 EST
P.S. It just annoys me all the misinformation that is spread around on this topic, but am now going to cease and desist as I no longer live in Ireland, am back in the USA - and actually finally feeling okay about it and relieved to no longer have to deal with the whole applying for permission to remain annually and the insane right hand-doesn't-know-what-the-left-hand is doing of INIS. The whole experience soured me on Ireland altogether, unfortunately, and it was a place once dear to my heart. But when you are led to believe you can stay as long as you can support yourself and apply for permission every year, then they change the rules in midstream and although they aren't supposed to apply to you, they apply them anyway - and you have to spend thousands of dollars to move and get yourself re-situated back in the USA on their timeline, not your own... yeah, guess I'm a little bitter. No further posts on the subject.
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KevinfromKinsaleviaNYC
1/24/2017 21:38 EST
Well said, Hearts. We are all entitled to our opinions but I have recently noticed a general lack of kindness and respect from some posters. Hope you do not withdraw from your contributions to this forum as your real life experiences are quite valuable.
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hereineir
1/27/2017 18:08 EST
gg `~ US congressmen won't help ... Ireland has already made concessions and changed things, I doubt they are interested in doing anymore. After a year and a half of fighting them, I am giving up and moving to a different country. Right now I'm in France and their port of entry immigration folks have been fantastic, especially as compared to Ireland. Good luck to you, though., you spelled sincerely incorrectly at the end ... btw
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FlowerFairy
1/27/2017 18:29 EST
I was wondering how France/Italy now was with the influx of illegals etc. We returned Downunder (leaving aside weather and dysfunctional real estate in Ireland) due to the political situation in EU and illegals. My dream was Italy (Plan B was a base in Ireland). After being back Downunder we are wondering if in fact we should have been brave enough to step off the deep end and go to Italy (mind you, recent earthquakes etc are a worry). Sorry, this is just waffle but am interested in how you found France. Cheers
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