Civil Service Transfer

Belder

Hi there. I am a civil servant in Dublin. I really want to leave the department I am in and need a change of scenery. I have to stay in Dublin.

I don't know the ins and outs of how to go about seeking a transfer.

I fear that if I email my HR Section they won't be helpful and will want to put me off applying.

Yet I sometimes hear about colleagues getting a move to Revenue or DSP or Education etc. I've also heard of people who have written to the HR sections of various departments offering their services and being picked up, once their home department accepts the move.

Is there a formal process?

BRYAN Is Ainm Dom

From personal experience I got my HR Unit to write to departments to where I wanted to transfer but but it seems this may not be the best option for you if you don't want to get your HR involved so you should check out the Union Magazine as there is a Transfer section in there and see if there is any place you would like to transfer to or put in your own add seeking a transfer.

But just remember you will have to get your HR department involved at some stage as they will have to agree to any transfer.

Yenwod

Some (maybe all?) departments HRs who have actual transfer lists. It can be a long process so better to put in your interest now and if it came to it and you decided you didn't want to go, you can say no.

People want to transfer for so many reasons, whether it's location, career progression, experience etc... I wouldn't fear what your HR would say. They worst they can do is say no and then nothing has really changed. Otherwise they could be very helpful.

One thing I'd say about a transfer to DSP though, it's a hard place to escape. I know people who have tried and found it next to impossible.

Creol1

It can take years and priority is given to seniority, based on my understanding.

Interesting that DSP is a "hard place to escape". I wonder why? I've heard that it's where all the "dead wood" (not my phrase) were transferred to; is there any basis to that or not?

The_Conductor

Depends on your grade- but most unions keep transfer lists (and indeed publish them). Contact the CPSU, PSEU, or AHCPS and enquire?

Yenwod

Creol1 wrote: »

Interesting that DSP is a "hard place to escape". I wonder why? I've heard that it's where all the "dead wood" (not my phrase) were transferred to; is there any basis to that or not?

I don't know, it's hard to say. There are some absolutely fabulous staff in DSP. The COs in the local offices for example, very very tough & complicated job and the majority do a bang up job. But yes, there is a huge quantity of "dead wood" - I don't know if that's because the department is so vast or because the department is generally quite desperate for staff so will take...anything (if you will). Therefore if you're good at your job, they'll sink the claws in.

oasis fan

Hi guys. I'm nearly a year after starting with a local authority as a CO. The position I got came in my preferred location at the time however as both myself and my girlfriend were living there at the time it suited us. The two of us both planned to move back to our hometown in the future and she has recently got a teaching post back home.

With this in mind I would be interested in applying for a transfer and just have a few questions? I would rather not discuss this with HR at the minute with me just being through the door and such.

Do I have to be in my current position for a minimum amount of time before I can apply for transfer?

How do I go about applying for transfer?

Am I elegible to transfer to all sections of civil service or only to another local authority?

Can I put down a number of locations where I wish to transfer to or am I limited just to one specific location?

What is the general waiting time for transfers? I know this is probably a tough one to answer depending on what area you are looking to transfer to.

Thanks

G

Creol1

oasis fan wrote: »

Hi guys. I'm nearly a year after starting with a local authority as a CO. The position I got came in my preferred location at the time however as both myself and my girlfriend were living there at the time it suited us. The two of us both planned to move back to our hometown in the future and she has recently got a teaching post back home.

With this in mind I would be interested in applying for a transfer and just have a few questions? I would rather not discuss this with HR at the minute with me just being through the door and such.

Do I have to be in my current position for a minimum amount of time before I can apply for transfer?

How do I go about applying for transfer?

Am I elegible to transfer to all sections of civil service or only to another local authority?

Can I put down a number of locations where I wish to transfer to or am I limited just to one specific location?

What is the general waiting time for transfers? I know this is probably a tough one to answer depending on what area you are looking to transfer to.

Thanks

G

You understand that local government is not part of the Civil Service?

oasis fan

Creol1 wrote: »

You understand that local government is not part of the Civil Service?

I think it's pretty clear from my post that I'm trying to ascertain whether I can transfer from local authority to other parts of the civil and public service so I don't appreciate snidey questions in response to the questions I have asked.

Creol1

oasis fan wrote: »

I think it's pretty clear from my post that I'm trying to ascertain whether I can transfer from local authority to other parts of the civil and public service so I don't appreciate snidey questions in response to the questions I have asked.

You spoke about transferring to all sections of the civil service rather than just a local authority, which invited the conclusion that you thought local government was part of the civil service. The distinction between civil and public service is not a trivial or pedantic one, especially when it comes to transfers, because transfers are possible from one Department within the Civil Service to another, but not from the Civil Service to a non-CS part of the public sector.

fitzyunited

Hi. Don't know if you are still interested or if you got your transfer - saw something on facebook.
Search for Civil Service Transfers Ireland and there is a page where you can seek a head to head transfer. Seems like a good idea considering the stone age methods of looking for a head to head transfer within the Public Service.
I'm a civil servant myself and I am in a region that is a fair spin from home, and I would love to be able to get a head to head transfer!