Getting your own car can be exciting, but it can also be an expensive purchase. For some people, a car is necessary to get around, especially in areas with limited public transport or for accessibility reasons. 

If you’re buying a car, there are some things to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting the best deal and your car is in good condition. 

In this article:

Costs related to owning a car

When it comes to getting a car, it’s not just the vehicle that you need to consider. There are many other expenses involved that you need to factor in.

All of these expenses can add up, so it’s important to make sure you can afford it before you make your purchase. 

How to pay for a car

You have a few options when it comes to paying for a car. If you have the funds, you can purchase the car outright in one payment. This means it will officially belong to you. 

You could also take out a loan, which would mean getting the money for the purchase from a credit union or bank and then repaying the loan over time, with interest (a fee for taking out the loan). You will be the official owner of the car if you take out a loan. Find out more about taking out loans.

Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Plans (PCP)

You can also look into Hire Purchase (HP) agreements or Personal Contract Plan (PCP) agreements. This means the finance company will own the car and you will make payments over time. The car will officially belong to the finance company, and ownership will transfer to you after the last payment has been made. With PCP agreements in particular, the final payment is usually very significant and you may need to take out another loan to repay it. If you can’t afford this, you may need to enter into another finance agreement to keep the car or get a different one. Be careful if you are considering HP or PCP agreements, because this can be a complex process and a big financial commitment.

If you plan to take out a loan or do a HP or PCP arrangement, make sure to fully inform yourself of what’s involved, the risks, and the repayments. Make sure you can afford to make your payments before signing anything.  

Find more information on paying for your car through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission website.

Things to check when buying a used car

When buying a used car, here are some things you should look out for when viewing:

For a full list of things to check when buying a car, you can use this CCPC checklist.

Checking the mileage

The odometer reading tells you the total mileage of the car (how much distance the car has travelled). The NCT disc will tell you what the odometer reading was the last time it was checked. Compare the reading in the car to the number on the NCT disc. If the NCT number is higher than the one showing in the car, it may have been altered (or ‘clocked’), which means the person selling it wants it to appear that the car has been driven less than it has. 

Where to buy a car in Ireland

You can either buy a car from a garage or dealer, or from a private seller (buying directly from someone who is selling their car). 

Garage or dealer

If you buy your car from a garage or dealer, you will have a number of rights that you won’t have if you go through a private seller. If something goes wrong, you will have rights under Irish and EU consumer law if you buy through a dealer. 

Before buying from a dealer, do some research to make sure they have a good reputation. Find out if the dealer is a member of the Society of Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) and if they follow the SIMI code of ethics around customer service and business practices. You can check if they are a member on the SIMI website.

When you buy from a dealer, whether new or second hand, they must provide a Vehicle Registration Certificate. It’s recommended that you also ask for:

Private seller

If you buy from a private seller, you will not have the same protections under Irish and EU law as you would with a dealer. This means if something goes wrong after buying the car, there may not be anything you can do to get your money back or get compensation. 

The first thing to investigate is that the car is not currently under a finance agreement like a hire purchase or a personal contract plan. If the current owner is still making repayments to a finance company, they do not officially own it until they have made their last payment – this means they may not have the right to sell the car to you.

You should also take the following steps before agreeing to buy a car from a private seller:

After you have agreed to purchase the car, you will both need to sign the back of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) to transfer ownership. Never pay the seller before you have thoroughly checked the car and you have made sure that the certificate has been signed.

Things to do after buying a car

There are a few things you are legally required to do after buying a car. These include:

What to do if something goes wrong after buying a car

If something goes wrong after you buy your car, the steps you can take depends on whether you purchased it from a dealer or a private seller. 

If you used a finance agreement like Hire Purchase or Personal Contract Plan to pay for your car, then you are not the official owner of the car. Speak to the finance company if there is a fault with your car who may be able to resolve the issue, or talk to the garage or dealer if they are the ones who set up the finance agreement.

Garage or dealer

If you bought from a dealer or garage, you have certain rights and protections. This is because the car must be as described, be of satisfactory quality, and fit for purpose. If the car does not meet these conditions, you can make a complaint to the person who sold you the car.

You may be entitled to a repair, replacement of faulty parts, or a partial refund. If the car is still under warranty, you may have extra protections, so make sure to check the date and conditions of your warranty. If it is not under warranty, you are still entitled to a repair, replacement or refund if the car is faulty. 

Private seller

When you buy from a private seller, you have far fewer protections. If an issue comes up after your purchase, contact the seller and see if you can work out a solution. If you can’t come to an agreement about what to do, you can look into taking them to the Small Claims Court.

For more information on what to do if things go wrong, visit the CCPC website.

Illustrations by Marina Marinina.

Ireland’s healthcare is divided into public services (available through the HSE) and private services. Most people in Ireland can access healthcare through the HSE, without needing private health insurance. However, many people still choose to take out a private health insurance policy.

If you’re trying to decide whether health insurance is worth it, it helps to understand how the healthcare system in Ireland works, and the difference between public and private healthcare. It will also depend on what your needs are, and what you can afford.

It is still possible to access healthcare in Ireland without paying for health insurance.

In this article:

Is healthcare free in Ireland?

People who are ‘ordinarily resident’ in Ireland can access healthcare through the public system (HSE) without needing private health insurance. Being ‘ordinarily resident’ means you have lived in Ireland for at least a year, or you intend to live in Ireland for at least one year. If you are in the country for a shorter period of time, you are not eligible to use HSE services, so it’s recommended you have travel insurance. People with a European Health Insurance Card can access public healthcare services during a temporary visit or short-term stay in Ireland.

Most services available through the HSE are free, with fees for some services if you don’t have a medical card, which can allow you to access healthcare services for free. For example, non-medical card holders will need to pay a fee of €80 a night for overnight stays and inpatient day cases in public hospitals, with the maximum amount you can be charged over a 12 month period capped at €800. There is also a €100 fee for attending the outpatients department of A&E without a doctor’s referral. Those between the ages of 6-70, who do not have a medical or GP visit card, will also need to pay for their appointment with their local GP and any services they provide.

However, most services available through the HSE like seeing a specialist consultant or carrying out tests and procedures like x-rays or scopes will be free of charge if you receive a referral from your GP.

There is often a waiting list to access public healthcare services, like consultations with specialist consultants, carrying out certain tests and investigations like scopes, or having non-urgent medical procedures. This can cause delays for many patients in accessing the care they need.

Why do people get private health insurance?

Many people in Ireland choose to get private health insurance, which allows them to access healthcare through private hospitals and private clinics within public hospitals. There are a number of reasons why you might decide to get private health insurance. This could include:

There are different health insurance plans available that offer different levels of cover depending on what you need, the hospitals you want access to, and how much you can pay.

How much does health insurance cost?

The cost of health insurance depends on the age you apply and the type of cover you want. Comparing prices between different types of insurance companies for similar policies can help you to get the best deal on your health insurance. It’s important to not only look at price, but also look at what you’re getting for the amount you’re paying.

You can either make monthly payments by setting up a direct debit (with your monthly fee coming out of your account each month), or you can make an annual payment which means paying for your policy in one go. Sometimes there can be an extra charge for monthly payments, so be sure to check this before deciding which to do.

Some insurance providers give Young Adult rates, which include a discount for people between the ages of 18-25. Find out if there are any discounts available when you shop around.

It’s important to be aware that the age you are when you take out your insurance policy for the first time can determine how much you pay – it’s best to take out health insurance for the first time before you turn 35, because of something called a Lifetime Community Rating (see below). This can increase the amount you pay. Your age is only relevant if you are taking out insurance for the first time, or you have had a break in cover for more than 13 weeks.

Lifetime Community Rating

The Lifetime Community Rating (LCR) can determine how much you pay for your health insurance. With the LCR system, the amount you pay is determined by the age you were when you first took out your insurance policy.

If you take out a health insurance policy before you turn 35, you will pay lower premiums than someone who took out their health insurance when they were over 34 years of age.

For every year of age over 34, a 2% loading will apply to your gross premium (the total amount you will pay each year), which means you will have to pay 2% more for every year of age you are over 34. This loading will apply for a period of 10 years.

Can a break in cover affect how much I pay?

Try to avoid having a break in your cover of more than 13 weeks, as you will have to start over again with your health insurance cover. This will mean having to serve waiting periods all over again.

A break in cover of more than 13 weeks will only affect the cost of your insurance if it happens after you turn 35. This is because the LCR will apply and you will end up paying more.

Different types of health insurance cover

There are a number of different companies offering health insurance in Ireland. You can find out about these companies and compare plans through the Health Insurance Authority website.

The type of coverage you can receive depends on the company you take out your policy with and the plan you choose. You can choose to get inpatient hospital cover, outpatient hospital cover, or a package with both types of cover.

Inpatient hospital cover

If you are admitted to hospital, either as an overnight patient or as a day case, you are considered an ‘inpatient’. Inpatient cover will pay for some or all of the costs of your time in the hospital, including your room, and tests carried out, and any procedures or surgery.

Outpatient hospital cover

If you receive treatment that does not involve being admitted to a hospital (for example, an appointment with a consultant), you are considered an outpatient. This type of cover will help to pay some or all of the costs of your outpatient appointments.

Cash plans

Cash plans generally cover the cost of day-to-day medical care, agreeing to pay a fixed amount for certain medical appointments and treatments. This can include (but is not limited to) GP visits, dental visits, physiotherapy and medical tests like blood work etc – the things you are covered for depends on your policy.

Cash plans are different to other kinds of private medical insurance because they do not cover in-patient costs (when you are admitted to hospital overnight or as a day case for treatment). There may be a small amount you can claim for each day you are in hospital, but you will not be able to claim for the costs of the treatment you received while you were there. Keep this in mind if cover for in-patient expenses is important to you.

Public vs private hospitals

Some public hospitals have private clinics, where consultants who work in the public system can arrange appointments with private patients. These patients can then have procedures carried out in the public hospital as a private patient.

However, there are also private hospitals who only see private patients. Many of these consultants also work in public hospitals, but spend part of their week at the private hospital.

Some policies will only provide cover as a private patient in a public hospital, but will not provide cover for private hospitals.

If you want access to a specific private hospital, you will need to make sure that hospital is included with your policy. It’s best not to assume that your policy will cover you for all private hospitals – make sure you know where you can access services when you take out your policy.

Will health insurance cover all of my costs straight away?

How much you can claim from your health insurance depends on the type of policy you have. It’s important to read your policy closely and look out for things like the waiting period, excess, allowable expenses, and limits to the amounts or how often you can claim for specific services.

Waiting period

Most insurance policies will have a waiting period before you can make a claim on your policy. This waiting period is often 6 months. This means you must pay for your insurance policy for 6 months before you can make a claim. If you have any medical issues during this time, you may need to go through the public system or pay for services yourself. Once the waiting period has passed, you can begin making claims on your insurance. There are no waiting periods for accidents or injuries, so you will be covered immediately if something happens.

Some insurers have no waiting periods for day-to-day or outpatient cover, so it’s useful to look into what you are and are not covered for straight away when taking out a policy.

Waiting periods for pre-existing conditions

If you have a pre-existing condition, this waiting period may be longer. If it’s a new issue, the insurer may cover it – you will need to confirm this with the insurer before taking out your policy.

A pre-existing condition is an illness or injury that you experienced symptoms of in the six months before you took out health insurance for the first time. This policy also applies if you previously had health insurance, but you had a break in your cover for 13 weeks or more.

If you have a pre-existing condition, there will usually be a longer waiting period before you can make a claim for that condition. For many pre-existing conditions, this waiting period can be five years. This means you will have to wait until you have had five years of insurance cover (without a break longer than 13 weeks) before you can claim for that specific condition.

The sooner you take out the policy, the sooner this waiting period can begin. Once you start your cover, try to avoid having a break in your cover for longer than 13 weeks, or you will need to start the waiting period again. You can switch policies during this time without it affecting your waiting period.

Upper limits

There can often be an upper limit to the amount you can claim for a specific service in one year. For example, you may be able to claim up to €10,000 for inpatient services in one year. Make sure to find out what your upper limit is in case you have a number of repeat visits.

Upfront costs

For some appointments, you will need to pay the cost upfront and claim it back from your insurance company afterwards. For example, if it costs €150 to see a consultant, you will pay that on the day and use the receipt to claim it back on your insurance, depending on how much excess you must pay (see below).

For more expensive services like procedures or surgery, you can usually provide your health insurance details on the day and the hospital will claim directly from your insurance company. However, if you have an excess, you will need to pay this upfront and the insurance company will settle the rest. Make sure to find out if you need to pay an excess in advance of your procedure (see below).

Excess – How much do I have to contribute to expenses?

When taking out an insurance policy, you will often be asked how much you want the excess to be. The excess is the amount of money you will contribute towards the cost of your expenses before the insurance company can cover the rest.

How much excess you are willing to pay can affect your premium (the overall cost of the policy). The more excess you pay, the lower your premium will be.

Excess – Inpatient Claims

If you are an inpatient (admitted to hospital overnight or as a day case), there is usually a specified amount that you must pay directly to the hospital. This is called the ‘excess’. The insurer will settle the rest with the hospital.

Excess – Outpatient Claims

There are a number of appointments and treatments you might receive as an outpatient, which means you are not admitted to a hospital. There is usually an ‘annual excess’ for outpatient claims – this is how much you will contribute towards the cost of outpatient expenses in one year before an amount will be paid from the insurer. In some cases the excess will be €1 meaning you can claim for all eligible outpatient expenses as specified in your policy documentation.. Some plans also have what’s called an “allowable expense”, which means the insurance company will only cover part of your outpatient expenses.

With outpatient claims, you must pay for your appointment in full yourself, and you can keep the receipts to get refunded by the insurance company. If your total amount of outpatient expenses in one year is less than your annual excess, you will not get any money back. If your total amount of outpatient expenses in one year is higher than your annual excess, you will receive money back from the insurer  – but the insurance company will deduct the excess from the amount they are paying back.

To work out how much you are due to get back from the insurance company, you will need to factor in both your allowable expense (if this applies) and your annual excess.

There might also be a limit to the number of times you can claim for a specific service. For example, you may only be able to claim for physiotherapy visits a maximum of 12 times a year.

Find out more about excess and outpatient claims on the Health Insurance Authority website.

How to choose a health insurance policy

When choosing a health insurance policy, ask yourself the following questions:

It can help to compare different policies to find the best price and coverage. You can use the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) comparison tool. You can also contact insurance companies directly to get a quote.

A health insurance broker may also be able to help. A broker will take note of your budget, your medical needs, and other relevant information, and find a policy that will suit you best. There is a fee for using a broker.

Need more information?

Would you like more information? Maybe you would like to talk through your own situation? Get in touch through our online chat system for 16 to 25 year olds – Monday to Friday 4pm to 8pm.

Illustrations by Marina Marinina.

Life can be complicated. The older you get, the more responsibility you have, the more overwhelming it can be. Rent, bills, healthcare, getting paid, finding work, paying taxes, figuring out your next step – it can all be a bit much. 

The first thing to remember is that you don’t need to have it all figured out. While there’s some great information, advice, and support out there, most people are making it up as they go along, and that’s okay. Go at your own pace, and remember there’s support available if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Even if you feel alone in what you are going through, there is someone who has been where you are now and made it through.

We want to help you get your life together – but just because you haven’t done all of the things on this list doesn’t mean you’re not already doing the best you can. You don’t need to do these things to be a ‘successful’ adult or have it all ‘together’- but if you’re looking for some information, this list might have you covered.

How to get your sh*t together

Remember, you don’t need to do it all at once – and you may never do some of these things, which is okay too. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try picking one or two things to focus on, and break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

1. Figure out your career

There are many points in our lives where we are asked to make decisions about the type of career we want. However, what we thought we wanted to do in school isn’t necessarily what we end up doing later in life, and that’s okay. 

Whether you have a very clear career path in mind or you’re still figuring things out, deciding on your goals and putting steps in place to get there can help you to find the job that’s right for you. 

This might mean: 

2. Learn to manage your money

Between paying for the essentials like rent, groceries and bills and enjoying your social life or funding a hobby, life can get expensive. If you’re finding it difficult to keep on top of your expenses each month, it can help to sit down and take a look at your finances to figure out where you can cut some expenses and how to save. 

Here are some places to start when it comes to learning how to manage your money:

3. Find out if you’re due a tax refund

When you start working for the first time, you must register yourself as soon as possible with Revenue (who collect taxes). This is to avoid paying emergency tax. You must do this even if it is a part-time or temporary job.

If you’re an employee in Ireland, then your tax will come out of your pay cheque each time you get paid. Since you don’t have to think about it, you may not be paying close attention to how much you’re paying or whether you’ve been paying too much. 

If you’ve overpaid your tax in the last four years, then you can ask Revenue to refund the amount you overpaid. You could end up getting quite a bit of money back if you’ve been paying too much tax over the last few years.

You might also be entitled to claim tax back on medical expenses/tuition fees or get something back on broadband/heating if you are remote working, so it’s worth exploring your options.

Find out how to get a tax refund.

4. Moving out and renting

For some people, moving out and renting simply isn’t an option right now. If that’s the case for you, you’re not alone. If you’re living with family or moving back in, there are ways you can try and keep a sense of independence while living at home.

If you are in a position to rent, or you have no choice but to find a place to live, then there may be challenges along the way when it comes to finding a place, dealing with housemates, and paying your bills. Here’s some information that might help:

5. Taking steps towards a mortgage

Some people have a goal of one day owning a home, while for others this isn’t a goal at all, or something that seems impossible. A mortgage might seem like something far in the distance for you, or maybe you feel ready and able to take this step now. The first thing you’ll need to do when it comes to preparing for a mortgage is save. The sooner you start saving, the better, and you can start with small amounts – it all adds up over time. Once you’re ready, you can contact a mortgage advisor or speak to a bank about taking the next step. 

Find out how to save for a mortgage.

6. Think about starting a pension

A pension is a way of saving for your retirement by putting small amounts of your earnings aside every week or month throughout your working life. This will then provide you with an income after you retire.

Retirement might be the last thing on your mind now, but planning for the future is important, and the sooner you can start a pension, the better. 

Find out how to start a pension.

7. Learning to drive and getting a car

Although taking public transport or walking or cycling can be better options for the planet and for our health, sometimes it is necessary to have a car. This is especially true if you live in a rural area with few public transport options, or if you need a car for accessibility reasons. If that’s the case, then there are several steps you can take to start driving:

8. Thinking about moving somewhere new?

Do you need a change? Are you considering a move abroad? Moving to a new country can be an exciting experience – it can be challenging but rewarding. If you’re thinking of moving somewhere new, make sure to do lots of research around the country you want to go to, the type of work available, the documents you’ll need, and how much the cost of living is. 

Here are some ways to start planning your move:

9. Prioritise your health & wellbeing

When we’re caught up in the day to day and dealing with a lot of different things in life, it can be easy to let other priorities slip, like looking after our health and wellbeing. While the other areas on this list have their place, perhaps none of them are as important as our health. The thing is, if we make the time to look after ourselves, it can make it much easier to manage the other challenges that life can bring. 

Here are some ways you can prioritise your health & wellbeing:

10. Make time for your mental health 

It’s important to look after our mental health through all of life’s ups and downs. Not only can this make it easier to face new challenges, knowing how to handle negative experiences can also help to protect your mental wellbeing when times are tough. You can also support your wellbeing by surrounding yourself with friends and family who are supportive and who make you feel good. Here are some ways you can work on looking after your mental health now:

11. Protect your privacy and information

When was the last time you changed your passwords? Do you have the same login for every account? Taking time to clean up our accounts and update our passwords can pay off, especially if there’s a data leak or someone figures out the password you’ve been using for the last 10 years. 

Here are some ways to check up on your digital privacy and security:

Illustrations by Marina Marinina.

When you move out, you don’t only have rent and groceries to think about when it comes to your monthly expenses. You also need to cover bills like electricity, heating, internet, your phone, and other services you might be accessing. 

Keeping on top of your bills can sometimes be overwhelming, but there are things you can do to make managing your monthly expenses less stressful and even save money along the way. 

How to save money on your bills

Monthly bills can add up, and you might find you’re paying a lot for things like heating and electricity. There are a few things you can do to try and cut down those expenses.

Monitor your energy usage

Even if your bills are paid automatically each month, it can be a good idea to take a look at your statements to see exactly what you’re paying for. When it comes to heating and electricity, this can show you how much energy you’re actually using each month. 

You can then start to find ways to reduce the amount of energy you use at home. This includes switching off lights when you’re not in the room, unplugging chargers when they’re not in use, switching off appliances instead of leaving them on standby, and only keeping the heating on for as long as it’s needed. 

Do your research before signing up to a company

If you’re setting up an account for the first time, make sure to do your research before deciding which companies to use for different services like internet, electricity and heating. There are comparison websites available that can help you to find the best deal, and there are often discounts for first-time customers or people who switch. 

Consider what it is that you need, how much you’re willing to pay, and where you can get the best price before you sign up. Look for opportunities to cut back – for example, by using 4G instead of a broadband provider, or signing up to one streaming service for, say, six months, and cancelling it before you sign up to another.

Switch your supplier to save money

In general, customer loyalty is not rewarded when it comes to utilities like phone, internet and electricity, so switching suppliers whenever your contract is up can be another great way to save money.  For example, SIM-only mobile phone deals for €5 per month for the opening months are not unusual, and you can save money at the end of the introductory period by switching again to the latest offer.

If you sign up for a one year contract with one company, when the year is up you can look at what deals and offers are available elsewhere. Most companies will offer discounts for switching to their company from another provider. Once the new contract is up, you can look at switching again. Comparison websites can help you to find the best deal. You can also find out information on switching suppliers through the CCPC.

Many energy and heating suppliers are currently increasing their prices. If you are going to switch providers, ask the company you’re switching to about any recent or planned increases in their prices so you have a clearer picture of your bills into the future.

Talk to housemates about saving money

If you split the bills with other people, talk to them about all of your options for saving money on the bills. This could be reminding them to switch off lights or appliances they’re not using, or agreeing to switch to a new energy provider to get a discount. Sit them down and show them how much they could be saving each month, and hopefully they will be interested. 

Managing food bills

If you’re finding it difficult to budget for food bills, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, taking time to visit different supermarkets and comparing prices of the items you buy most often can help you to work out where to get the best deal. This might mean switching where you buy your groceries, or dividing your weekly shop between two different supermarkets. Many supermarkets also sell food that is reaching its sell-by date at a reduced price – this can help you to save money, but make sure you freeze what you can before it passes its use-by date. Taking advantage of offers and deals can be great, but try to only buy things that you need instead of buying something just because it was on special. Find out more about getting the most out of your grocery shop. Making a meal plan and using your freezer can also help to reduce food waste and save money.

How to manage your monthly bills

Keeping on top of your bills each month is important to make sure you don’t fall behind. Here are some things you can do to stay on top of things:

Make a budget

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your expenses each month, it can help to sit down and make a budget. This involves writing out all of your expenses, including essential items like rent, food, and bills, and other spending on items that are less essential. 

Look at how much money you have coming in each month and compare it to the amount you have going out. Ask yourself where most of your money is going, and whether there’s anything you can cut back on. A spending calculator can be helpful with this. If your rent and bills are very high and not leaving a lot for other items, you could explore switching your accounts to try and save money. 

Find out more about how to make a budget.

Set up automated payments

The best way to make sure you never miss a bill is to set up a direct debit payment so that the money automatically comes out of your bank account each month. The service provider should give you the option to set this up through your account. 

Keep your direct debit payments in mind when you’re spending throughout the month – you want to make sure you have enough money in your account to cover the bill on the day the direct debit goes through. You could consider setting up a separate account for bills, making sure that you put enough money into it each month to pay all bills before any other spending.

Submit your meter readings

Sending an accurate meter reading to your energy company means your bill will be based on actual usage, not just an estimate.  This will help avoid the shock of receiving a big bill later on if earlier estimates have been inaccurate.

Speak to the people you split the bills with

If you are sharing a house or apartment with others, it’s important to agree in advance how bills will be paid, whose name is on the account, and how others in the house will pay their share. Apps like Revolut can make it easier to send and request money. If someone else in the house is paying the bills each month, try to be on time when it comes to paying your share. If the bills are in your name and you’re having issues getting the money from housemates, talk to them about it and try to come to an arrangement for the money to be sent to you each month. 

Read more about dealing with issues with housemates and learn about your rights as a tenant.

What to do if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your monthly expenses

Struggling with money can be a really stressful experience. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your finances, know that there is support available.

Find out what to do if you’re experiencing financial stress.

The following services can offer you support if you are worried about money: 

You could also contact our free and confidential text support service 50808:

Illustrations by Marina Marinina.

There will always be moments in life when we must face new challenges for the first time. What these challenges look like can be different for everyone, but there are some experiences that can be similar.

If you don’t relate to these experiences, that’s okay. Everyone’s journey is different. However, you might experience some of these things over the course of your life – so do you have the information you’ll need to make the right choices for you?

When you start a new job, one of the first things you should do is…

Correct! Wrong!

When you start a new job, you need to let Revenue know so that you can avoid emergency tax. Each time you get paid, tax will come out of your payslip. If your employment hasn’t been registered with Revenue, they will not know how much tax to take out, which means they will apply ‘Emergency Tax’. Emergency tax can take quite a big lump out of your pay cheque, so it’s important to update your information as soon as possible. If you’ve been emergency taxed, you can request a refund from Revenue. Find out about avoiding emergency tax.

If you’re renting a room or apartment, a landlord might ask for your PPS number because…

Correct! Wrong!

When you rent a property, the landlord should register your tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Your landlord is required by law to register your tenancy with the RTB within a month from the time you move in. If there are issues during your tenancy, the dispute can be referred to the RTB.

You can get a tax refund if you have overpaid your tax (paid too much tax in one year) at any point over the previous….

Correct! Wrong!

If you’ve overpaid your tax in the last four years, then you can ask Revenue to refund the amount you overpaid. It’s worth checking your account each year to find out if you’re due a refund.

One way to save money on your bills is to…

Correct! Wrong!

If you’re looking for ways to save money with your monthly expenses, these are all things you can try. If you’re finding it difficult to manage your expenses, there are support services available.

Health insurance becomes more expensive if you are over the age of __ when you take out your first policy

Correct! Wrong!

If you’re thinking of taking out health insurance, it is best to take out a policy before you turn 34. This is because health insurance premiums (the amount you must pay each year) get more expensive after you turn 35. Find out more about taking out health insurance.

True or false: When buying a car second hand, you have the same rights whether you buy from a private seller or a dealership

Correct! Wrong!

When you buy a car from a dealer, you have a number of protections and rights under Irish and EU law. This means if something goes wrong, it can be easier to get a repair, replacement or refund. You do not have the same rights with a private seller.

When getting a mortgage, what is the minimum percentage of the total house value that you must have saved for your deposit?

Correct! Wrong!

If you’re buying a house and applying for a mortgage, the bank will need to see that you have a certain amount of money saved, among other things. One requirement is that you have saved a minimum of 10% of the total price of the house to go towards your deposit. This means if the purchase price for a house is €300,000, you need to have at least €30,000 of your own money saved towards the deposit. Find out about saving for a mortgage.

True or false: It’s never too early to start your pension

Correct! Wrong!

A pension is a way of saving for your retirement by putting small amounts of your earnings aside every week or month throughout your working life. This will then provide you with an income after you retire. It is never too early to start your pension. Putting even a small amount aside each month can add up over time. However, if you’re not in a position to start one straight away, that’s okay - just try to avoid putting it off for too long if you can. Find out more about starting a pension.

Before you can learn to drive, you will need…

Correct! Wrong!

The first step towards learning to drive is taking the driver theory test. Once you pass the theory test, you can begin taking your 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons, which you need to complete before taking the driver test.

Before you can drive a car on a public road in Ireland, you must have…

Correct! Wrong!

In Ireland, you must have car insurance before you can drive your car on a public road. You also must display your tax disc on your car at all times. You also must have the appropriate drivers licence, and be accompanied if you are a learner. Find out more about getting a car.

True or false: As an employee, you have the right to disconnect from work (by not responding to your employer or emails and not doing any work) outside of working hours

Correct! Wrong!

As well as your right to take breaks, you have a right to disconnect from work outside of normal working hours. This means you should not be expected to do any work, including respond to messages or emails, outside of the hours that you normally work. The code of practice on the right to disconnect has been in place since 1 April 2021 and applies to all employees, including people working from home. It gives guidance on your right to disengage from work outside normal working hours. While failure to follow the code is not an offence, it can be used as evidence in a case taken to the Labour Court or the Workplace Relations Commission under employment legislation.

How much do you know about these life hacks?
Looks like there’s more you could learn!
You might not have all of these experiences in life, but it helps to be prepared in case you do. Find out more in our list of 11 ways to get your life together.
Not bad, but maybe there are a few more tricks you can learn!
You might not have all of these experiences in life, but it helps to be prepared in case you do. Find out more in our list of 11 ways to get your life together.
Good effort! You seem to know a lot already.
You might not have all of these experiences in life, but it helps to be prepared in case you do. Find out more in our list of 11 ways to get your life together.
Great job! You already know a lot.
You might not have all of these experiences in life, but it helps to be prepared in case you do. Find out more in our list of 11 ways to get your life together.

Illustrations by Marina Marinina.

Arriving in a new country can be an extremely challenging time, especially if you have arrived as a refugee. To help support you, we have created some resources around accessing the healthcare and social welfare systems in Ireland. Over the coming weeks, we hope to add more resources to this page to help Ukrainian refugees settling in Ireland. 

Supports for Ukrainians in Ireland

Currently, we offer two services that may be of help to you if you have questions about living in Ireland or if you would like to speak to someone about any difficulties you might be experiencing. 

Youth Information Chat

Our online chat service is as easy to use as WhatsApp and puts you in touch with a Youth Information Officer who can help you with questions you may have about living in Ireland. 

Examples of things you might want to know about:

The chat service is available between 4 pm and 8 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays, such as the Easter bank holiday Monday). If you want to chat with a Youth Information Officer during that time, start a conversation now. If you leave a message outside of these hours, we will get back to you by email as soon as we come back online.

Our chat service is staffed by Youth Information Officers from centres across Ireland. Youth Information Officers are trained in providing information that is impartial, accurate, relevant to your question, in a non-judgemental and easy to understand way. The Youth Information Officers staffing the system are from YMCA Ireland, Crosscare and Youth Work Ireland.

Text About It  

There’s a lot of fear and pain to process at this time, but you don’t have to manage it alone. Talking to someone who cares about what you’re going through and wants to listen tot how you’re feeling can make all of this easier to absorb. Saying your worries out loud and having someone listen anonymously, openly and without judgement can make a big difference.

If you need emotional support at any time, our free, 24/7 text support service Text About It is there to help. From breakups or bullying to anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings, our Crisis Volunteers are available 24/7 for anonymous text conversations. Our aim is to provide immediate support in the short term and connect people to resources that will help them in the future.

Whether you’re stressed, overwhelmed, confused or grieving, we’re here for you. 

If you are a customer of the 48 or An Post network or cannot get through using the ‘50808’ short code please text HELLO to 086 1800 280 (standard message rates may apply). Some smaller networks do not support short codes like ‘50808’.

Ukrainian support articles 

Mental health support articles

Connecting with youth services in Ireland

Editors note: Please note that this piece includes the mention of an eating disorder. Mind yourself if you choose to read further.

Turning 18 is a milestone that almost all teenagers can hardly wait to reach. If you ask a 17 year old their age, they are likely to respond with the likes of ‘I’m 17, but I’ll be 18 in a couple of months.’ With all the excitement of what you can finally do when you’re 18, the reality of what being an adult truly means is blurred until you realise that you can’t pick and choose. For example, when I turned 18, I would argue that I’m an adult so I could stay out as long as I liked, yet I still expected my Mam to ring the doctor for me when I’m sick. In other words, I was an adult when I wanted to be.

The harsh reality was that if I wanted to be treated as an adult in a particular situation, I would have to act like one in every situation. Turning 18 comes with a lot of changes, some more difficult than others. A challenging one for some is the transition from youth to adult mental health services. In my case, it wasn’t just that I needed my Mam to ring the doctor for me, I also needed her to come with me and do the talking. This was the same with any mental health professional. Any question directed to me was responded to with a nod in her direction.

A leap from youth to adult services

My transition from youth to adult services was quite a jump. In fact, it happened so suddenly I didn’t even get the chance to process it at the time. You see, my transition began with an inpatient admission to a psychiatric hospital.

Since I had only very recently left 17 behind me and hadn’t even finished secondary school, I felt as though I belonged in the adolescent ward. However, the reality of it was that I was 18 and whether I felt like one or not, I was officially considered an adult. Because of this, the adult ward, of course, is where I belonged.

This experience was so overwhelming that the same day I was admitted, I went home. I had unpacked my bag, met my roommate, spoken to the psychiatrist, and even ate my dinner, only to say no thank you and decide not to stay. So I repacked my bag and I left.

Thankfully that wasn’t the end of the story because despite the hospital being the last place on earth that I wanted to be, I knew it was where I needed to be. So I spent the weekend at home, and I built the courage to return. As someone who does not cope well with change, going in and coming back home gave me the chance to prepare myself which actually made being admitted (for real this time) a bit easier. Nevertheless, the problem still remained that I felt as vulnerable as a child and surrounded only by adults.

Settling into a new community

In a surprising turn of events, it wasn’t long before I began to find my place and feel like an equal. I met people that were twice and three times my age with whom I related to more than I ever had with anyone my own age. I soon recognised that this was a transformation, not just a transition and that there were benefits to being treated like an adult including respect and independence. I also came to learn that adults could be just as vulnerable as anyone else.

Along with respect and independence, a huge benefit of transitioning to adult services is confidentiality. I feel as though a lot of young people tend to hold back when talking about their emotions because they fear that the information they share will go right back to their parents/guardian  It’s much easier to open up when you know that what you say will be kept in the room, which as an adult, it generally does.

In conclusion, even though at the time I wished that my Mam could have come to the hospital with me and spoken on my behalf at every session, being thrown into the deep end forced me to identify and understand my own emotions. I discovered that, when I actually tried to, I was very good at articulating what I was going through. I also gained important skills such as assertiveness and self-awareness.

How these skills have helped me

By being self-aware, I am able to recognise how I am feeling and why I am feeling that way. With this knowledge, I am more easily able to manage my emotions. Assertiveness is a skill that made a big impact on where I am today. When I was younger, I would go to an appointment, smile, nod, and then leave, regretting everything I should have said but didn’t. One day this changed, when I decided to talk about something I had been keeping to myself because I was afraid of not being taken seriously.

While I was in hospital, I was being treated for Borderline Personality Disorder, however, what nobody knew was that I was struggling just as much with an eating disorder. It took a great amount of bravery that I didn’t even know I had to speak up about it. Unfortunately, that bravery was met with the response that all I needed was a “healthy diet and exercise.” I left the appointment feeling worse than I did before.

At that moment, I wished I never brought it up but instead of letting it consume me, I did something I had never done before. I went back to the doctor, and I told him that he was wrong. I told him that this was more than just a casual concern about my weight and that it was beginning to take over my life. This time he listened to what I had to say and took action that never would have been taken if I hadn’t spoken up for myself. Because of this, my eating disorder was now acknowledged and I got the right treatment that I needed.

Looking back, I think my doctor actually felt quite proud of me that day.

For most young people in rural Ireland, learning to drive is a high priority. 

As soon as I turned 17 I did my theory test, and passed! After receiving my learner permit the next step was finding an instructor. I found it really hard to find an instructor that was willing to take a young driver and had reasonable prices, so it’s a good idea to shop around.

Preparing for my lesson

After finding an instructor, I booked my first lesson. I decided to book it on a day where I didn’t have anything else scheduled so it could be my main focus.

Before going I made sure I had eaten (no one wants a rumbling stomach when you’re stuck in a car with someone for an hour!) and I wore comfortable clothes and shoes.

I got my learner permit and money ready, brought a water bottle and arrived 5 minutes early to have time to prepare.

During My Lesson

Thankfully my instructor was lovely and really put me at ease. He gave me the option of where I wanted to drive, so I chose somewhere quiet to get used to the car (even if your instructor doesn’t offer, don’t be afraid to ask).He was really patient and had no problem repeating things if I didn’t understand.

After My Lesson

After sitting in a car focusing for an hour, I recommend doing something to relax; take a walk, grab a bite or just sit and chill! I went to the gym after mine.

I read through the feedback he gave me to see if there was anything I could work on.Even without being able to drive a car between lessons there are still ways of practising, just observing someone else’s driving from the passenger seat has been really beneficial to me.

My Advice

I’m 5 lessons in now and still make mistakes, but it’s ok because I’m still learning. I feel more and more comfortable every time I sit in a car. 

Try not to worry beforehand. Your instructor wants you to succeed, so they will help! I was pleased to learn that most instructor cars have dual control so that really put me at ease too.

Just remember; if you’re learning in your instructor’s car, chances are they have more appointments after you, so don’t worry, they won’t let you crashRelax, don’t panic, and happy driving!

Getting your first car? Do you know what to look for when buying used? Will you go to a dealer or to a private seller? Find out everything you need to know about buying a used car in Ireland.

If you have arrived in Ireland as a Ukrainian refugee, you can access the same public healthcare services as people who live in Ireland. Health services in Ireland are delivered by Ireland’s public healthcare service – the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Applying for a medical card as a Ukrainian in Ireland

All Ukrainian refugees are entitled to a medical card with a simplified application process. A medical card allows you to visit a doctor for free, access other health services and get medicines at a reduced price. Anyone aged over 16 must apply for a medical card themselves and not through a parent or guardian.

You apply for your medical card using a special medical card application form:

To complete the form you need:

Once you have printed and filled out your form you can:

After nine months, you will have to make a full application for a medical card. This will include a full financial assessment or means test.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Ukrainians in Ireland

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster are free to everyone in Ireland. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19. Vaccines help to boost your immunity to the virus, which means it will teach your immune system how to protect you from the virus. This can help to prevent serious illness if you are infected with COVID-19. Getting vaccinated can also help to protect those around you by limiting the spread of the virus. Find out how to book your COVID-19 vaccine.

Abortion services for Ukrainians in Ireland

Abortion is available in Ireland through the HSE. The procedure is free if you live in the Republic of Ireland but you will need your PPS number to access the service.

Abortion services are available through:

Not all doctors provide abortion services in Ireland. If your local GP does not offer this service, you will need to go to a different doctor’s surgery that does. Ask for help at your local Ukraine Support Centre and they will be able to offer you advice.

For information and advice on finding somewhere to access an abortion, contact My Options support service on freephone 1800 828 010. You can ask to speak to an interpreter if you would rather speak to a counsellor in your own language. The service is free and confidential.

Click here for a list of hospitals providing abortion services.

Read our article on abortion in Ireland to learn more.

Emergency services in Ireland 

In a life threatening emergency, call 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance. These numbers are free to call and work on any phone.

If you do not speak English

If you do not speak English, tell the medical staff and ask if they can arrange an interpreter for you. In some cases, the hospital or health clinic can provide an interpreter.

If you arrive in Ireland from Ukraine , you can get support from the Irish State. This includes a place to stay, financial support (social welfare), the right to work, and healthcare services. To access social welfare in Ireland you will firstly need to get a Personal Public Service Number (PPS).

The Irish Government has published social welfare information for people arriving from Ukraine. This information is also available in Ukrainian and in Russian.

Accessing social welfare as a Ukrainian in Ireland

How to get a PPS number as a Ukrainian in Ireland

To access social welfare services in Ireland you will need a Personal Public Service Number (PPS number). Information on applying for a PPS number will be given to you on arrival at reception centres in Dublin Airport or Rosslare Port. If you do not receive this information or are already living in Ireland, you can go to a Ukraine Support Centre or your local Intreo Centre and they can help you get your PPS number. Intreo Centres are offices that provide social welfare services in Ireland. You cannot apply online for a PPS number.

To get a PPSN you will need a form of identification such as:

Ukraine Support Centres Ireland

You can get information and help at a Ukraine Support Centre in Ireland. The centres are currently available in Cork, Limerick and Dublin and offer information about social welfare, immigration and housing

The opening hours for these centres are:

If you are not based in Dublin, Cork or Limerick, you can visit your local Intreo Centre for help, these are the offices that provide social welfare services in Ireland.

Applying for social welfare as a Ukrainian in Ireland

When you arrive in Ireland you can apply to the Department of Social Protection for financial support. You will get a temporary social welfare payment called Supplementary Welfare Allowance. It is a weekly payment for you and any dependents (for example, children) you may have. If you need help applying for this payment, you can visit your nearest Ukraine Support Centre or Intreo Centre.

You will continue to get Supplementary Welfare Allowance until you apply for a more suitable social welfare payment. Advice will be provided to you on this from your nearest Ukraine Support Centre or Intreo Centre. If you get a job, you need to tell your local social welfare office so they can stop your payments. However, you can keep your Supplementary Welfare Allowance for 30 days after you start working.

If you have children, you can get Child Benefit. This is a monthly payment paid to the parents or guardians of children aged under 16. It is also paid for children aged 16 and 17 in full-time education. You do not have to have proof that your 16 and 17 year old children are in full-time education for the first 2 months after you arrive in Ireland.

Social welfare payments are paid weekly through your local post office. Child Benefit payments are paid on the first Tuesday of the month, also through the post office. Staff at your Intreo centre will be able to tell you where your local post office is. In Ireland the postal service is called An Post.

Housing for Ukrainians in Ireland

When you arrive in Ireland, you can get help with getting somewhere to stay if you need it. If you tell immigration officials at the airport or port that you need a place to stay, they will refer you to the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). IPAS have staff at the reception hubs at Dublin Airport and Rosslare Port. You can also go to a Ukraine Support Centre to get help with accommodation.

IPAS accommodation is free of charge and includes different types of accommodation. For example, you may be accommodated in a hotel, guest house or another type of State-owned or private accommodation including property pledged by members of the public.

If you don’t need a place to stay immediately (because you are staying with family or friends), you can ask for this help at any time later on.

If you need accommodation and you are already in Ireland, you can email the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) at [email protected] or visit a Ukraine Support Centre.

Include the following information in your email:

If you arrive in Ireland from Ukraine, you can get support from the Irish State. This includes a place to stay, financial support (social welfare), the right to work, and healthcare services. Reception centres are open at Dublin Airport and Rosslare Port and they will offer you immediate support if you arrive in Ireland through these ports. Ukraine Support Centres are also open in Dublin, Limerick and Cork City.

Support for Ukrainian Refugees arriving in Ireland

Ukraine Reception Hubs Dublin Airport and Rosslare

If you are arriving in Ireland through Dublin Airport or Rosslare Port, it is important to visit one of the Ukrainian reception hubs. These hubs have been opened specifically to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland. There you can give your details and will be given a letter confirming that you have residence in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive. Staff can also help you to get somewhere to stay if you need it, and help you to access financial support (money).

What is the Temporary Protection Directive in Ireland?

The EU, including Ireland, is using the Temporary Protection Directive. This means that you can work and access services and benefits without making an application for international protection (refugee status).

This applies to:

You will get permission to live in Ireland for one year under the Temporary Protection Directive. Your permission may be extended after that. You will get a letter confirming that you have residence in Ireland under the Directive.

I have not received a Temporary Protection Permission letter

If you did not get a permission letter at the airport or port you arrived at, you can get it at the Ukraine Support Centre on Cork Street, Dublin 8 or at the Ukraine Support Centre on Dominick Street, Limerick.

You cannot currently get a permission letter from the Ukraine Support Centre in Cork. However, arrangements are being put in place to provide permission letters at the Cork centre.

If the Irish Government gave you a place to stay (in a hotel for example), immigration officials will visit your accommodation and they can give you the permission letter.

Ukraine Support Centres Ireland

You can get information and help at a Ukraine Support Centre. The centres are currently available in Cork, Limerick and Dublin.

At a centre, you can get information about social welfare, immigration and housing. If you did not receive your temporary permission letter when you entered Ireland, you can get this letter at the Ukraine Support Centre in Dublin or Limerick.

The opening hours for these centres are:

If you are not based in Dublin, Cork or Limerick, you can visit your local Intreo Centre for help, these are the offices that provide social welfare services in Ireland.

The Irish Government has published social welfare information for people arriving from Ukraine. This information is also available in Ukrainian and in Russian.

It was the third day of my COVID-19 isolation. I was fortunate that I hadn’t become seriously ill, but I was under the weather and stuck in bed. There I was, sick, stuck in my room, feverish and dizzy. Yet, the only thing I could think about was how much work I had to get done. Before isolation, I had been placing myself under a lot of pressure- academically and with extracurriculars- and now I was frustrated with my inability to maintain this level of work and productivity.

I’m sure this is a familiar story. Even when COVID-19 lockdowns first hit, there was an explosion of productivity culture online. While we entered lockdown and began to see the impacts of the pandemic, there was a message that this time had to be used to be productive. We were told to do more work than ever before, be increasingly available, and yet the focus on minding our welfare and processing what the world was going through was minimal.

As I went through the Leaving Certificate and started university, with intermittent lockdowns and online school, I became increasingly aware of this “hustle culture” and hyper-productivity. This is where you allow your career, or school, to take over your life to the extent that other aspects of your life- your friends, hobbies, and rest- take a back seat.

I felt like I always had to be doing a billion things, and that to simply exist was wasting time. When I did take breaks, all I could focus on was the feeling that I wasn’t doing enough. A quick scroll through TikTok will show endless videos encouraging you to monetise your time, to develop work schedules of 15-16 hours a day, and to work to the point of burnout. Burnout is a feeling of mental and physical exhaustion and can take the joy out of your relationships, work and other areas of your life. This working culture can create the perfect conditions of stress and exhaustion to lead to this state which, once entered, can be tricky to get out of.

Balancing act

Don’t get me wrong, hard work is a great and important thing. It’s what allows us to challenge ourselves, to put effort into something we’re passionate about, and to make a change. However, there’s a crucial balance to strike between a good work ethic and pursuing a variety of passions, and overextending oneself or placing unrealistic expectations on yourself. It’s great to take on a variety of work and projects and to dedicate yourself to the things that are important in your life. But once you start expecting perfection 100% of the time, or you lose the ability to take a genuine break, that’s when you run into trouble.

Society’s measure of worth

Society’s expectations also feed into these burdens that young people experience. People are expected to work and work and take on more until they hit a wall. When they hit that wall, the support offered is inadequate. The support to prevent this burnout in the first place is even scarcer. Our time is viewed as something that can and should be monetised.

Hyper-productivity culture as I’ve outlined is rooted in the belief that our value derives from our productivity, from the work we contribute rather than our inherent value as human beings. If we attach our sense of worth to how productive we are, we’re placing it on something external that is constantly fluctuating. It also feeds into the belief that our worth is something that can be measured at all. Ultimately, this focus on productivity and unsustainable levels of work lead to burnout.

I’ve particularly noticed the impact this has on young people this year, as I left school and started university. The adjustment has meant reshuffling commitments, reassessing capacity, and understanding that schedules and commitments are fundamentally different in university. However, this shift and the reduction in capacity in the first year of university can bring with it a sense of guilt and a desire to push yourself beyond your limits.

Allowing time to adjust

This is how I’ve seen many friends hit a point of burnout in their first term of university. It’s a time for adjusting to an entirely new phase of life, making new friends and, for many people, learning how to navigate the world entirely independently. Placing unrealistic and unfair burdens on yourself during an already difficult period is a recipe for burnout and exhaustion. When we’re fed this message of constant productivity, and to tie our worth to it, this can become almost inevitable.

I need to be able to simply “be” from time to time. The breaks I take will ultimately enhance the time in which I am working, as my body and mind will have had time to recoup and won’t be pushed to the point at which I can no longer do anything. We need a healthy balance between time to work, study, do extracurriculars, see friends, and simply exist. When was the last time you took even 15-20 minutes to yourself, without thinking about what you had to get done with the rest of your day?

At a larger level, we also need to rethink our productivity culture as a society. We need to encourage and support one another to take breaks, to save time and energy for our relationships and hobbies. We need to separate productivity from a sense of personal worth while still finding fulfilment in our work and studies. Essentially, we need to find that balance between hard and fulfilling work and an unsustainable culture that places unrealistic expectations on young people – leading to burnout.

Skip to content