Referendum pay rates

SouthWesterly

Does anyone look know what polling and count staff are being paid in the referendum in march?

ciaran_gell

I worked both as a poll clerk and a counter for the last general election. Between both days I was paid 700 euro gross.

daffodill50

How do you apply for these jobs?

howiya

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121675797#Comment_121675797

Google "(insert your county here) returning officer". They may or may not have vacancies.

SouthWesterly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121675774#Comment_121675774

Presiding officer gets more but can't claim mileage.

Did counts for referendum and elections. Referendums were a doddle.

dublingreen

How many hours work a day?

SouthWesterly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121681249#Comment_121681249

It's the full day of voting. 6.30 to 10.30

treascon

Just be aware if you are already in employment your earnings from this will be taxed at 40%. I gave it up for this reason.

SouthWesterly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121681300#Comment_121681300

I have tax credits so can get a balancing statement and combine earnings

smallgarden

Does anyone know the difference between poll clerk and presiding officer e.g. pay rates, responsibility, hours etc. Is it worth the extra pay to do it over polling clerk?

SouthWesterly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121791411#Comment_121791411

Same hours . Pay is close to 500 for the day . Doing exactly the same job as the poll clerk but with supervisory responsibility to ensure the rules are followed.

cute geoge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121791424#Comment_121791424

How much for polling clerk

SouthWesterly

Hi, sorry Ive no idea . I would reckon somewhere about 300 for the day. Been a long time since I did polling clerk

MadHattersTeaParty

Poll Clerks earn €367 on the day of the poll, whereas Presiding Officers earn €485. Counters earn €272 for the first 12 hours and €26 per each hour thereafter.

The rates are determined by the Minister for Finance. The current rates were fixed in advance of the 2011 General Election, albeit the payment for each position were reduced by circa. 30% as part of the austerity measures.

I've worked for for the elections/referendums since University. Ten years later and I still enjoy being part of that democratic process, even though I'll be taxed through the gills as a higher rate taxpayer.

I've also recently learned that many Election Offices around the country are finding it difficult to fill up Poll Clerk positions in advance of Polling Day. So there is plenty of time to apply.

dulpit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121681300#Comment_121681300

You still earn 60% though? Obviously you pay tax on income like...

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811213#Comment_121811213

More like 50% after the PRSI and USC.

Hardly worth it given the length of the day involved.

dulpit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811234#Comment_121811234

I can never understand this logic. It's still more money than you had beforehand. Is it always worthless to work the second you hit the top tax bracket?

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811263#Comment_121811263

The issue isn't the tax on itself.

Sure you end up with an extra €180

But to get it, you work a 12+ hour day plus some extra training time.

And since elections here are on weekdays, you need to use up a day of annual leave too

Dodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811263#Comment_121811263

Money isn’t the only concern in life, so “worth” is down to the individual. Some people value time off more than money. Others are happy to work every minute they can. It’s surely not that hard to understand

SouthWesterly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811308#Comment_121811308

Some of us have Flexi or have to use up leave so it's a win win either way in my book.

I swore I wouldn't do it again after last time . In a new town and the locals didn't like being asked for ID. Wondered was the grief I got worth the effort

Will give it one more try and hopefully they remember last time, otherwise I'll call it a day. Dublin was much easier.

upinthesky

I have been choosing to do poll clerk but I have been given no information as to the gross daily rate, hours are 6.30-22.00 long day, also I will not get paid for my day of in my public service job?

Has anyone any information as to the daily rate or where I can find this information before I email back the acceptance letter.

SouthWesterly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811668#Comment_121811668

Look back up the page

upinthesky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811761#Comment_121811761

I have done. So they are the definite daily gross rates of pay then 367?

MadHattersTeaParty

@daffodill50 did you manage to enquire about whether there is a vacancy?

Google 'Local Returning Officers for referendums on 8 March 2024 only', download the pdf list and find your local constituency. My advice would be to call the number listed beside your constituency first thing in the morning and enquire if they are any Poll Clerk positions available near your home.

Hopefully there will be a position available for you.

MadHattersTeaParty

@upinthesky yes - the gross pay for Poll Clerks on Polling Day is €367 - the same as the 2020 General Election rate.

KerryM9

When are they going to make the payment? 10 days later - no money and no communications

rae88

Same here no communication at all

rae88

Its €381 at least thats what they told me I was getting.

SouthWesterly

Closing date for expenses was last Friday. Pay to be run after that was received and processed.

Big Bag of Chips

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811234#Comment_121811234

I work it every year. I often hear "not worth it". It's a lot of money (to some) to sit down all day. It's not a hard job. But it is a very long day.

If people think it's not worth it that's fine. Leave it to people who are glad of the extra cash. It happens very rarely. I will continue doing it for as long as I'm able.

Presiding Officer has more responsibility than poll clerk. Poll clerk marks off the register. Presiding officer has responsibility for the ballot box and all paper work. They have to collect the box the day beforehand return it to collection point after polling.

It's not a difficult job, and if you don't mind sitting in the same room for 15+ hours it's handy money.

well24

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811336#Comment_121811336

Exactly, it always surprises me that money seems to be the most important thing for some ppl...Theirs so much more to life... No point in having masses of money in the bank with no time to enjoy it!