Expat Community > Ireland

ggeitsee
Joined 2016
Posts: 20

Letter Regarding Americans wanting to Retire To Ireland

8 years ago

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 ([email protected]) 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 ([email protected] or [email protected]) 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 ([email protected]) 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 ([email protected] or [email protected]), 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,

William Russell

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Letter Regarding Americans wanting to Retire To Ireland

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