Garda ICT Civilian Role

MaxPayneXL

A few queries about working in the ICT section of Garda Siochana.

Any idea about the work culture there for an ICT Civilian Role?

I heard that they have severe staff shortage. Is it true? Any idea about the work load?

TestLink

I think they have the same Civil Service benefits like Flexi Time etc. Dont know about the work load or work culture! Heard that they have lots of outsourced staff, from companies like Accenture working in IT. Hope this helps.

MaxPayneXL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119011486#Comment_119011486

Thanks. Any one working there?

dat6

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058243534/garda-ict-civilian-role

Big IT department (300 staff). Things are very behind and inefficient, but changing slowly. There are a lot of contractors (75%?), then mostly civilians. There is lot to learn for the right person and hundreds of systems that are very unique to keep you occupied. They have flexitime, blended remote working etc..

Best advice is ask to talk to your prospective manager and meet them to learn about the role.

MaxPayneXL

Many departments are still using obsolete tools & technologies like IBM Lotus Notes etc which makes work boring from the feeling that you are not upskilling / multiskilling, learning a new technology, but going backwards and work on something that is of no value in your future career.

Ubbquittious

You get to pry around in the National Big Brother System (NBBS) though

or perhaps it's the National Orwellian Big Brother System (NOBBS) now

dat6

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119062381#Comment_119062381

AGS doesn’t have Lotus Notes. The number of gov depts that have it is now very low, most moved to built to share etc.

The average Gov departments are a lot more modern than you think. But you can almost guarantee stupid bureaucratic processes, web filtering and old legacy systems. Some depts are a lot more advanced and progressive then others. It would be recommended to talk to your perspective manager to get a lay of the land…

MaxPayneXL

I didn't mean AGS use outdated softwares like Lotus Notes etc. But in general many public bodies are slow in adapting new technologies. Hope this mindset would change in the wake of HSE ransomware attack.

Also the Public Sector ICT salary is much low compared to private sector. Also I cant under stand the logic of EO ICT / HEO ICT, getting the same salary as their EO / HEO admin counterparts. The constant need of upskilling and multiskilling requirements for ICT role to avoid getting obsolete, should be rewarded with more salary / benefits.