Ireland: Facts & Stats

Demographics

Population:

5,9 million inhabitants (2006) Density: 71 inhabitants per sq. km Ireland has only 2 urban areas with over 100,000 inhabitants.

The five largest are:

1. Dublin 1,045,769
2. Cork 190,384
3. Limerick 90,757
4. Galway 72,729
5. Waterford 49,213

Welfare:

The Irish government runs a Welfare state system. The government provides free tuition for education at all levels for all resident EU citizens, and free primary and secondary education for all residents.

The government also runs the public health service with hospital care free to all and lower earners or people dependent on benefits receive all medical services for no charge, including dental, oral and aural services. Other citizens get all such health services at a reduced/subsidised rate, or can claim tax-relief on medical expenses not covered by the state.

People who are unemployed receive unemployment benefits and retired people are entitled to a state pension - both benefits are quite high by international comparisons. However, recent changes in the cost of living in Ireland have greatly eroded their relative buying power. Pension payments were €230 ($320) per week in 2009.

Healthcare:

The public health care system of the Republic of Ireland is governed by the Health Act 2004, which established a new body to be responsible for providing health and personal social services to everyone living in Ireland - the Health Service Executive.

The new national health service came into being officially on 1 January 2005; however the new structures are currently in the process of being established as the reform programme continues. In addition to the public-sector, there is also a large private healthcare market.

In 2005, Ireland spent 8.2% of GDP on health care, or US$3,996 per capita. Of that, approximately 79% was government expenditure.

Education:

There are three distinct levels of education in Ireland: primary, secondary and higher (often known as third-level or tertiary) education. In recent years further education has grown immensely. Growth in the economy since the 1960s has driven much of the change in the education system. Education in Ireland is free at all levels, including college (university), but only for students applying from the EU There are Student Services Fees (up to €825 in 2007) which students are required to pay on registration, to cover examinations, insurance and registration costs.

The Department of Education and Science, under the control of the Minister for Education and Science, is in overall control of policy, funding and direction, whilst other important organisations are the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Higher Education Authority, on a local level Vocational Education Committees are the only comprehensive system of government organisation. There are many other statutory and non-statutory bodies which have a function in the education system. The current Minister for Education is Batt O'Keeffe.

Religion:

The primary religion in the Republic of Ireland is Roman Catholicism. Historically, prior to the arrival of Christianity, Celtic polytheism was the dominant religion of the nation.

2006 Census:

Roman Catholic	3,681,456
Church of Ireland	125,585
Islam	32,539
Presbyterian	23,546
Orthodox	20,798
Methodist	12,160
Apostolic / Pentecostal	8,116
Buddhist	6,516
Hindu	6,082
Lutheran	5,279
Evangelical	5,276
Jehovah's Witness	5,152
Baptist	3,338
Jewish	1,930
Wiccan	25
Pantheist	1,691
Agnostic	1,515
Atheist	929
Latter Day Saints (Mormon)	1,237
Quaker (Society of Friends)	882
Lapsed Roman Catholic	540
Bahá'í	504
Church of the Brethren	365
Other Christian	29,206
Other religions	8,576
No Religion /Atheist/Agnostic	186,318
Not stated	70,322
Total	4,239,848

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