Cost of living may be high, but worth it, as the economy is proving quite resilient, and the country quite pleasant. Padraig Berry (IMHI 83), President of ESSEC Alumni’s Ireland Chapter, tell us about the life of the local alumni community – and the services he offers to them.

ESSEC Alumni: What are the profiles of our alumni in Ireland?

Padraig Berry: There are about 80 alumni in Ireland.  Their occupations range from sales and marketing to accounting, finance and product management.

EA: What opportunities are there in Ireland for our alumni? 

P. Berry: Ireland is home to many global companies who recruit ESSEC level graduates with languages. Fintech in particular has a firm foothold here, in areas such as credit and lending, saving and investing, insurtech, big data and analytics, and more, thanks to the nation’s strong IT and financial services industries. Fintech Magazine recently listed Dublin on its top 10 list of Global Fintech Hubs. Other thriving sectors include information and communication technology (ICT) – especially cybersecurity and remote working technologies, pharmaceuticals and biomedical sciences, and supermarket retail and logistics also include some key growth areas.  

EA: What income can alumni expect?

P. Berry: Top annual salaries in Ireland are Chief Executive Officer: €163,000, Finance Director: €139,000, Sales Director: €130,000, Director of Operations: €130,000, Software Development Manager: €101,000, IT Senior Project Manager: €96,000, Actuaries: €95,000.  In accounting and finance the average salaries range from €52,000 for a business analyst to €87,000 for a financial controller.  Personally, I have seen much higher salaries.

EA: Does Brexit have an impact on Ireland? 

P. Berry: The country is benefiting from Brexit. Dublin in particular proves to be the prime destination for financial services firms looking to relocate from the UK to remain within the EU markets. S&P Global Market Intelligence reports that 36 insurers, brokerage firms, commercial lenders and investment banks have set up main or subsidiary offices in Ireland or have plans to do so.  

EA: What about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact? 

P. Berry: Although COVID-19’s impact on employment and economic growth has been more severe than that of the Great Recession, recovery has also been quicker. The economy is opening up again and we hope this time for good. Many people are still working from home but this will change in the coming months. The country’s economy is expected to grow this year by nearly 5% and by 5.5% next year. This growth will be mainly fuelled by the pharmaceuticals and IT export markets.

EA: What sector proved the most resilient?

P. Berry: Ireland's ICT sector did not suffer as much as others. As more companies adopted digital technologies, demand for ICT professionals grew. This trend is expected to continue this year, with new positions projected to climb by 30%. 

EA: As a foreigner, what makes it interesting to live in Ireland?

P. Berry: Ireland is a multi-cultural, secular, open society.  The people are warm and welcoming. It is easy to get involved. The cities and the country in general are small so it is easy to get around.  

EA: What advice do you have for our alumni moving in Ireland?

P. Berry: Ireland is not inexpensive, especially Dublin and especially accommodation. Eurostat reports that Irish prices are 24% above the European Union (EU) average, ranking it the fifth highest of the EU member states. Ireland is now pricier than Germany, France and Sweden. This is mainly due to skyrocketing rents. The average national rent is now €1,403, and the average rental price for an unfurnished, mid-range, three-bedroom apartment in Dublin is €3,406 a month. Make sure you have connections to help you find a place to live.  

EA: What is the offer of ESSEC Alumni’s Ireland Chapter?

P. Berry: The chapter here was recently relaunched. We will soon be having a monthly update meeting or gathering, virtual for the moment, but face to face in due course, where we can combine useful information and support and a bit of fun. Our intention is to become both a resource and a social focal point for Alumni in Ireland. The chapter will be a place where you can make friends, find new opportunities and contribute to the life of the community. If you are planning to come to Ireland you should consider joining the chapter in advance and getting the ESSEC Alumni network working on your behalf, to help you find your way.

Interview by Veary Ngy, International Community Manager at ESSEC Alumni, and Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni 

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