Too old to get a job . too young to retire

noelff · 15-01-2026 11:03PM #1

I am 63 unemployed . my back ground was in bar and restaurant work and also corporate security . excellent customer service skills. however now I have an acute arthritis in both my feet. they hurt if I walk too much . I want a change of career. but im limited now to what I can do. I am interested in doing a payroll course. at 63 my choices and options are limited. what do you suggest is the right career path for me?

I can type 45 wpm and have some knowledge of excel and word. there is a short course in manual and computerised payroll with spreadsheets staring in a few weeks. part time one day a week for 20 weeks. maybe this is a good option to take? see if it suits me and then do the IPASS course. but I am worried how competitive getting an entry role in payroll will be for me . I am not a young college graduate

both the payroll and bookkeeping courses are free by the way so financing is not an issue

Cyclingtourist · 15-01-2026 11:20PM

Do a course if that's what you feel like doing but at your age I'd be planning my retirement not a career.

black & white · 16-01-2026 12:41AM

I’m the same age and by the sounds of it similar health issues, finished up work recently, by choice from an admin job. Id look at public jobs.ie as there will be temp admin type job in Revenue and other departments for summer cover advertising soon. Might suit you. Best of luck to you.

elperello · 16-01-2026 12:44AM

I know a couple of people who do quite well providing book-keeping/admin services on a part time basis to small/medium businesses.

Certain agreed number of hours per week, flexible arrangements.

One is a man in his seventies who got into it after retiring from full time work.

Another option given your health issues might be to go on disability for the couple of years you have to go to pension.

SineadSpears · 16-01-2026 01:03AM

That is so weird, I'm literally just after suggesting the exact course to someone in another post only a few minutes ago! 🤯

Have you looked into the cost of certification? It's a few quid.

If you are in anyway interested in Payroll, go for it. I'm sure your tutor might be able to advise you aswel.

Mrs OBumble · 16-01-2026 11:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124151333#Comment_124151333

Revenue etc temp CO panel is advertised in November ish each year. Long since closed for this year- and fewer people are taken each year as the need for temps shrinks.

OP, do the course. And look into Community Employment programmes in your area.

Also - look into call centre work if there's any around. It can be horrible, but may be easier to cope with knowing its only for a few years.

black & white · 16-01-2026 02:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124151995#Comment_124151995

Didn’t realise that they were advertising so early, good to know.

Mrs OBumble · 16-01-2026 03:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124152532#Comment_124152532

Yes.

But the HSEanx local councils advertise separately, so it dan be helpful to watch them too.

OP one more thing: apply for and take temp jobs. Sometimes they .....extend!

DayInTheBog · 16-01-2026 03:39PM

If you qualify, you could look at a CE scheme

noelff · 17-01-2026 03:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124151361#Comment_124151361

It's actually free for those unemployed and on minimum wage. they are part-time but the big one IPASS Certification is around 1400 euros. but worth it for a job . I feel I can do it. I know its a stressful job but I would be looking for part time and in a small to medium type enterprise etc

noelff · 17-01-2026 03:10PM

The problem is I cannot afford to go on a pension for now. I need to work for at least another 4 to 5 years before I can actually plan my retirement etc

the state pension is not enough to survive on and im looking for something that I can eventually do part time remotely .

I wish I had set up a pension when I was y younger but life got in the way

littlefeet · 17-01-2026 04:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124155836#Comment_124155836

If you are really sure it will lead to a job, go ahead and do it, it sounds like a lot of money for the cert if the chances of getting a job are uncertain.

Would you look at getting a taxi licence or supermarket delivery job, or doing your D licence? There is a lot of work around if you have your D licence. There has been a large expansion in the local link service.

Mrs OBumble · 17-01-2026 05:06PM

That's another thought: if you can get into it, and taxi license and doing state funded school runs for disabled children can be lucrative, too. But it may require more walking / fitness than is feasible for you.

If you can get into a CE scheme, and do the payroll cert, you could be good to slot into a CE supervisor job if one comes up.

SineadSpears · 18-01-2026 01:15AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124155821#Comment_124155821

That’s right Noel, there are lots of places that offer training free of charge for anyone unemployed, or even for those who are working but looking to upskill.

The cost I was referring to was for the IPASS certification itself. For someone who’s unemployed, it can be difficult to raise the funds, and I’m not sure whether there are any financial supports available to help with that. But it's definitely worth investing in yourself (if you can) if it's something you are interested in.

No harm to try out the initial training as it will give you a good sense of whether this is the kind of work you’d enjoy. You’ll also be around like-minded people that you can talk things through with and bounce ideas off eachother about their plans aswel.

Best of luck. I hope it works out for you ☺️

MrFrisp · 18-01-2026 01:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124156394#Comment_124156394

You don't need a taxi licence for the disabled children school run.

I'm currently doing it under section 60, which means I just use my B licence, which covers me to drive a vehicle with up to 8 passengers.

Good advantages though. Plenty time off. Get a good run/route, and the money can be good for the hours.

Only downside is when you're off, you don't get paid, so you need to sign on for social welfare.. And trying to get paid is a bloody dose. It's usually 2/3 weeks waiting time.

aloaloalo · 18-01-2026 03:26AM

Do you have to have your own vehicle for this

drunkmonkey · 18-01-2026 01:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124156394#Comment_124156394

There's anothe angle on those school runs, they also need somone to sit in the bus with the kids so you don't even need to drive. It's a couple of hours in the morning and afternoon which pays well, it's a handy number for somone.

MrFrisp · 18-01-2026 02:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124158371#Comment_124158371

No. I work for a contractor.

But some people do it using their own vehicle. Only downside to that is you have to pay your own insurance, etc. So that's not cheap.

MrFrisp · 18-01-2026 02:40PM

Exactly this. I just drive the bus, and nothing else.

The helper/escort handles everything with the kids.

As I said, it's a very handy number, and the only downside is when you're off and trying to get paid from the welfare.

csirl · 18-01-2026 02:41PM

People have mentioned temporary CO in the civil service. Why not apply for a permanent CO job. You can work until you are 70 and have the option of going part time as you get older.

MrFrisp · 18-01-2026 03:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124159034#Comment_124159034

I tried for a civil service job recently, and unfortunately I didn't pass one part of the application process.

I'm contemplating whether to try again, after looking into upgrading my skills.

Pushing 60 now, but definitely looking for a career change. Although have very little to no experience in office work.

Soc_Alt · 18-01-2026 03:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058431194/too-old-to-get-a-job-too-young-to-retire

Have you thought of reception work. Plenty of work i would think of contract front desk work in corporate, hotel and hospital both private and public.

aloaloalo · 18-01-2026 04:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124159021#Comment_124159021

Thanks is there an upper age limit do you know.

OrangeNinja · 18-01-2026 04:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124159215#Comment_124159215

Yes it's 70. The government have been putting Bus Eireann under pressure to change the age limit upward to 74 for a while now but no dice thus far..

The wages are 350 a week on average for 20 hrs work but I only drive around 12 hrs a week with the kids in the bus and have another job cash into hand on the side works out very well for me but obviously if you're only surviving on the 350 a week it's a struggle. You'll need a D1 licence not a taxi licence.

Youll get paid on the school breaks from social welfare just need to fill out a few forms they make it awkward for you as they can to discourage people from claiming the money but I'm the end they pay up

MrFrisp · 18-01-2026 05:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124159215#Comment_124159215

I think 70 is the cut off, but they are looking into changing that, such is the shortage of drivers.

MrFrisp · 18-01-2026 05:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124159289#Comment_124159289

You don't need a D1.

I'm doing it under section 60, which means I do it through my B licence, which covers up to 8 passengers.

aloaloalo · 18-01-2026 05:16PM

Can I ask what a section 60 is.

MrFrisp · 18-01-2026 05:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124159406#Comment_124159406

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/consultations/article-60-school-transport-licence-policy-review/

jiltloop · 18-01-2026 05:30PM

Could you apply for Dublin Bus? They seem to always been looking to hire drivers.

aloaloalo · 18-01-2026 06:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124159421#Comment_124159421

Thanks for that 👍

OrangeNinja · 18-01-2026 06:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124159381#Comment_124159381

You do for the minibus and if you want to do some extra work on the side. I do an airport run three nights a week from a hotel in Sandyford with airline staff. You'd need your tachograph card for that also though whole other ballgame.

Too old to get a job . too young to retire

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