Dept. of Education __THEY DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE !!!

PennyWise11

Has ANYBODY OUT THERE got the inside track on how to actually get to SPEAK to somebody in the Dept. of Education ? (Apart from actually camping overnight outside their offices in Athlone, that is )

They don't answer the phone.
They ignore emails.

Smoke signals ?
Carrier pigeon perhaps?????

byhookorbycrook

Email has worked for me, but if you do get through and get real live person, take thier name and tell them you will be back to them...;)

Crazyteacher

Did you try a registered letter? They have to sign and you can track the name of the person and signature who received it on the anpost website

Toto Wolfcastle

Is there someone in the school you work in (presuming you work in a school) who has to contact the department on a regular basis and could give you a number to call? The bursar in the school I'm in gave me a number and I never have any hassle with them answering. I can't find the number now though.

RH149

I forget what the hours are but there are only certain hours when they answer the phone (or maybe its when they don't!). I know I managed to get through to them on the way home from school after an unexpected free class (so maybe about 3/3.30 pm...definitely before 4 pm, but not at lunchtime. Hope that narrows it down a bit

newbee22

They are notorious for not answering phones, had been trying to ring them for weeks there was no answer, when I eventually got through they told me they only answer after 2.30. What a waste of all my lunchtimes :rolleyes:

PennyWise11

RH149 wrote: »

I forget what the hours are but there are only certain hours when they answer the phone (or maybe its when they don't!). I know I managed to get through to them on the way home from school after an unexpected free class (so maybe about 3/3.30 pm...definitely before 4 pm, but not at lunchtime. Hope that narrows it down a bit

Thanks for that info RH149. I think most of my attempts were outside this "window of opportunity" !!

How typical....they are available to take calls when most teachers are NOT available to MAKE a call. Nice one.

PennyWise11

newbee22 wrote: »

They are notorious for not answering phones, had been trying to ring them for weeks there was no answer, when I eventually got through they told me they only answer after 2.30. What a waste of all my lunchtimes :rolleyes:

Thanks newbee22.
Will try after 2.30.:)

Crazyteacher

Maybe you already saw this contact list ?

http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_contact_details.pdf

In particular page 2 might be useful .

PennyWise11

Bobblehead Panda wrote: »

Is there someone in the school you work in (presuming you work in a school) who has to contact the department on a regular basis and could give you a number to call? The bursar in the school I'm in gave me a number and I never have any hassle with them answering. I can't find the number now though.

Our principal even has difficulty getting through to them!

Does your bursar have a different number to the one on their website etc. ?

Pleeeeease find that number

PennyWise11

Crazyteacher wrote: »

Maybe you already saw this contact list ?

http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_contact_details.pdf

In particular page 2 might be useful .

Thanks for reply Crazyteacher, but sadly have been trying the relevant number (Payroll) from this list to no avail .

delta_bravo

I have never had problems ringing the payroll section. They only answer the phones after 2.30 and I think only on certain days. They are fairly curt in dealing with you but have never had an issue getting through to them

highly1111

I have an email for a brilliant girl in post primary payroll. If you need it - PM me.

Number I have for post primary payroll is 0906 483600. Has definitely worked for me in the past. Not too sure what time I rang at though.

ian87

They are notoriously understaffed... My sister in law works in primary payroll and the level of work they are trying to get through is sick.. Ask nicely for their name and their direct line.. Abuse them and you'll go backwards...

PennyWise11

ian87 wrote: »

They are notoriously understaffed... My sister in law works in primary payroll and the level of work they are trying to get through is sick.. Ask nicely for their name and their direct line.. Abuse them and you'll go backwards...

Thanks for reply Ian87.

I appreciate the fact that they are ridiculously understaffed. Particularly in the light of the recent landslide of retirements. It will probably take them months to wade through all that paperwork. I don't envy them.


Wouldn't dream of being sarky or abusive. . .as a teacher I don't appreciate getting that kind of treatment from a parent....and as you say, it's definitely a counter-productive approach!

I just want to make an appointment to actually speak face-to-face with someone there, as it's difficult to gather your thoughts and ask the right questions after ( or in the middle of) a day in school.


..... Don't suppose you could let me know your sister-in law's direct line or email address ??????? ;) ( Cheeky, I know, but worth the asking!!!:))

PennyWise11

highly1111 wrote: »

I have an email for a brilliant girl in post primary payroll. If you need it - PM me.

Number I have for post primary payroll is 0906 483600. Has definitely worked for me in the past. Not too sure what time I rang at though.

Thanks for reply highly1111.
Really appreciate it.
Unfortunately it's Primary Payroll I am after.
Just can NOT get a reply.
Must have clocked up at least a hundred attempts at this stage:eek: