Commuting daily from Galway City to Dublin by train to work. Is it possible?

road_high

I did Air BnB briefly but financially it wasn’t viable for me with taxes in the higher income tax bracket- I can’t imagine it’s very attractive for most people. I rent the room out instead and that’s tax free up to a certain threshold. Either way it’s going to be a very expensive option for the OP, that’s if they can even find a place. Might get lucky with a new work colleague who has a spare bedroom and might be interested in helping out but the chances are slim.
Easy be wise after but if I was the OP I’d have held out where I was- even if there was some job insecurity they’d still have had to paid you redundancy and then you’d be free to explore other options

road_high

no harm talking to HR and explaining the situation re accommodation and what can be done to accommodate that- two days in Dublin would be a lot more viable

smokie72

If I was the op I would find a nice airbnb in Dublin. Might take you a few times to find the right one for you. The airbnb host might be open to renting the room to you on a Monday to Friday basis under the rent a room scheme. It be less hassle for them dealing with different guests every week and paying tax on top of that. And it wouldn't be 82 euro a night either. After a year or two you could apply for a transfer back to Galway in the civil service. Also don't worry about what other people think if you can hold onto your old job. You are entitled to change your mind.

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122945892#Comment_122945892

Thats probably the best solution. Having one guest for 4 nights would be beneficial for them too. Less laundry for one.

road_high

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122945892#Comment_122945892

in an ideal world yes I totally agree with you but have you seen Airbnb or even house share prices lately. A large proportion of the OPs salary would be quickly taken up in nights in Dublin while I assume they also have a mortgage in Galway. I think if they could get the days in Dublin down to 2 and possibly just the one night in a cheap bnb or Airbnb

smokie72

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122947112#Comment_122947112

I was an airbnb host until several months ago. I also have rented out my spare bedroom. I'm an owner occupier. I have gotten people who initially booked on airbnb but wanted to rent the spare bedroom long term on a Monday to Friday basis. I would charge a lot less on the rent a room scheme than I would on airbnb as I pay tax on my airbnb earnings and that is reflected in the price. I do agree that prices are crazy not just in Dublin but how much is it going to cost commuting by train from Galway to Dublin 2 or 3 times a week plus the time and energy you save by not doing that commute? You would burn yourself out after a while doing that. I knew a guy who did Ennis to Dublin by train 5 days a week. He did well doing it for 6 months but he had no life and was totally exhausted. It's only a job at the end of the day. I would stick with the job in Galway if she likes it. Maybe apply for the civil service/public service in Galway next time they advertise?

Trampas

Can you work Mondays -Wednesday? Then you’ve a few public holidays to knock a few days off. Don’t envy you

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122947994#Comment_122947994

Great point about Bank Holiday Mondays. Hadn't thought of that.

SodiumCooled

If it was me I’d be steer well clear of having to commute on the Monday would ruin my Sunday evening thinking of that early start and journey on the Monday morning.

We have a number of people in our place travelling from 2-3 hours away but none doing this do any more than 2 days in the office and most stay over the night rather than doing the commute two days. Getting it down to two days is critical in my opinion. It’s just about sustainable in the long run at 2 days, 3 days is going to be torture.

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122947994#Comment_122947994

I think you would have to switch days coming in if there was a bank holiday to ensure you are present 3 days a week.

CiboC

OP, you need to consider that most sections have a requirement to be full time in the office for a training period before you can work remotely, it can vary from 1 to 3 months.

dory

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122954137#Comment_122954137

And on top of this I've never heard (in my dept anyway) of someone being able to pick their own days, as has been suggested in last few posts. There are team days, you're expected in the same days as your team.

fritzelly

As mentioned above if the department policy is 3 days in the office then very unlikely you will be able to negotiate that down to two days - not how the CS work and if that's the policy and you somehow miraculously get some special dispensation there would be fierce backlash from other staff (one rule for all)

You could stick it out for 2 years and try for mobility to somewhere closer to home or try the other open comps for somewhere closer to home

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122930461#Comment_122930461

A steady stable person offering a fixed price, looking for minimal service outside Airbnb and their extortionate fees is often better for the homeowner.

Outside Airbnb they could legitimately claim they are a lodger instead and avail of the tax free allowance

caviardreams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122954523#Comment_122954523

Especially not somebody coming in the door who hasn't earned that flexibility, or shown it works both ways yet. Asking for exceptions like that before you even start is not going to get you off to a good start imo

muahahahaha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122954957#Comment_122954957

Ah, no, I wont ask because the policy of the department is 3 days per week and I dont think they will agree. So, I will commute daily between Galway and Dublin by train for a few months to see how it works out. I spoke with HR of the Department a few days ago, and they informed me that I’m eligible to apply for the Travel Pass scheme. Think, this could help me save some Net amount on train ticket costs, as the amount is deducted from my salary before tax, USC, and PRSI are applied.

Yesterday, my current company laid off 16% of its staff again, and many of my colleagues have started leaving too. Given this uncertainty, staying in my current role long-term doesn’t feel like a secure option—I could face a layoff at any moment.

dory

I have to stay over in Dublin sometimes. You can get lucky and get a single room for about €60 midweek in the winter. If you even did that one week a month it would help.

muahahahaha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122966738#Comment_122966738

Thank you so much, @dory, for the suggestion. My office is located in Government Buildings on Upper Merrion Street. Do you think it might be possible to find an Airbnb nearby at a similar price? I've been searching for both Airbnb options and long-term rentals - e.g. a single room, but the prices are really high and distance is not near by.

fritzelly

Once you've started put an ad on the intranet - might get an offer off someone

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122967070#Comment_122967070

Have you looked at Generator hostel? Ive stayed there a few times. I just did a search for tomorrow night and there are beds for 21 euro.

A few times Ive been lucky and had the room to myself.

dory

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122967070#Comment_122967070

It depends what you call nearby. It won't be in leafy Dublin 2, but will be much closer than Galway. I just did a search on Booking.com for tomorrow night and found people privately renting room for €36 or so. If this link works you can see one possibility for €46:

https://www.booking.com/Share-AYHvxjO

You may need to walk or get a Luas there, but it's better than spending your life on a train. There are often cheap options near Parnell St. If you can get over sharing a room, hostels have rooms for about €20.

homer911

My daughter does the reverse with 5 consecutive days out of 20 spent in Galway. Stays at Kinlay Hostel or Claregalway hotel when she does. Hostel might be an option in Dublin, Kinlay is brilliant in Galway if you can find an equivalent in Dublin

billyhead

I presume it's Dper or Dfin that the OP is moving too. Our department is 2 days in the office. Are there many other bringing staff back 3 days?

Conqueror

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122967942#Comment_122967942

Not 100% sure about the Department of Finance, but DPENDPDR is three days in office.

Kirbi

D/Fin is 2 days in the office.

doc22

It's a central department and will be good experience, but I would note that even if you wait the years(I'd guest it would be considerable waitlist) for a transfer back to galway you more then likely be landing back as something like a tax inspector, social welfare inspector or office manager of a large team(NSSO) and in nothing related to IT

Mamasnpapas

If it's civil service I'm guessing your going in at AP level? So you won't be on flexi and your required to be in the office or logged on if at home from 9.30 to 5. That would certainly have a bit of give without too many issues but you won't get away with 10 to 4 as poster above suggested. Also your line manager PO most likely while they might like to won't have discretion to allow you do 2 days. The first complaint from anyone doing 3 days would scupper that.

muahahahaha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122967377#Comment_122967377

I think I wouldn’t mind staying in a hostel and sharing a room with others, so that could be a great option for me.

@Mamasnpapas
I’m currently at the HEO level with DPER. My contract doesn’t specify the exact time when I need to log in, but I hope it would be similar to what you mentioned—around 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. I will talk to HR to determine this.

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122969243#Comment_122969243

You will be on flexi.

drury..

Job here is like marrying the wrong woman and then trying to make it work

Find another way . Old job or another job