Life on the dole

life is sweet.

The Scientician wrote: »

Well I may soon find out, I just lost my job.

Sorry to hear that Scientician...

I was on the dole for 3 months during the summer. I've a fine art degree and a postgrad in community education. I managed to get paid work one day a week which I (somewhat foolishly) declared and asked to go onto part time dole.

So when I moved in with my boyfriend in September I was rejected by SW because of the one day of work but moreso because apparently he earns enough to support both himself and me. Even though we are both entirely independent of each other and he barely supports himself with next-to-no luxuries like clothes, holidays etc.

So as long as I'm living with him, the dole is not an option for me. I have a Christmas job now, It's gone the first of Jan - they don't pay us til mid jan, so I'm borrowing my rent off my Dad. I have a one day a week job in a CE Drug program (that's in serious danger of closure due to the cuts) so in Jan that'll be my only income and god knows where Februarys (and March) rent is gonna come from at this stage. I have been looking for jobs since the Summer, also applying for funding and projects etc (I'm an artist) and rejection and let-downs at every turn.

the bulk paycheck from the Xmas job will repay my overdraft and my Dad, so that'll all be gone in one fell swoop. Until I get something permanent emigration isn't an option. nor is saving. It's v disheartening and all I want to do is go, but sure what can ya do? Struggle on, like everyone else.

I'm glad I was rejected from SW - I despised dealing with them, and on one occasion I was forced to go to the HSE to ask for money because of dole delays, and I was treated like the lowest of the low. I had to go to a meeting with some person that was assigned to me, as i was put on the National Employment Action Plan (?!) and when I told her I had one normal Cv and one Artists CV she laughed in my face and thought this was ludicrous... Fool! I am extremely lucky that my parents will help me out if I am in dire straits, but all I want is to be able to afford the normal stuff without the struggle, and the fear when the bills come in. I hate the worry of rent from one month to the next, it's so consuming and draining. I have a lot to offer in jobs and I try to remind myself of that even when the rejections are flooding in, or more often, the non-replies. There's a small chance that the Xmas job might keep some of us on - but I can't rely on that and I won't know for a good while.

I adore the CE scheme job, and when I'm not working full-time (as I am this month)I am kept really busy with lots of art-based projects, and I feel v fortunate to have that outlet. Hopefully Jan 2012 will provide some opportunities - a permanent job in Dunnes or the likes would just be brilliant so I could get saving and keep looking for career jobs.

Ps. I know this is a dole thread - but I was on it for a time, and It's the same when you are doing odd jobs and living from one 50 euro paycheck to the next one in 10 days time!!

retroactive wrote: »

To those who are siphoning off Irish funds on a full time basis: you are the reason I am emigrating. "They 're nah jobs joe" - http://www.jobs.ie/ Well actually there is.

So you're leaving because there are jobs in the country? Well, that's new...

Millicent wrote: »

So you're leaving because there are jobs in the country? Well, that's new...

While jobs do exist in this country, I'm training to work in a sector where positions don't (or where openings exist, are very competitive). Rather than put my hand out, I will emigrate - seek employment elsewhere.

First off; They bot come from they both come from the same poster.

Second:; while the future is a wonderful argument, I was talking about now. Although if you're employing the ''future'' argument (I like to call it ''the bury your head in the sand and keep your hands free for hand-outs argument.) I'm sure someone more qualitfied than me will appear- then they will emigrate- although that may take, what, 7 seven years? after which the euro qerfuffle will have died down and of course the educated will have emigrated as Ireland becomes a land of plasters and carpeters.

Simple we have a legal and finance sector dying. A sector that is second only in the hatred competition against the politicians. Fine, kiddo, take the welfare, **** the economy - just have the decency to realise that you are part of the problem and are not the soution

You made wrong decisions. There is no reset. You are at home living on tax paid by people better than you. People who do not want to support you.

Sonics2k wrote: »

It sucks.

I've worked since I was 16 years old, never gone more than 2-3 months without some form of employment. I lost my last job about 2 years ago, and was completely unable to find work in my area, so was basically forced to move back into my family home after my relationship with my fiancé broke down.

I'm currently out of work, and planning on going to University next year to do the Computing course, and possibly move from there into teaching.
Unfortunately, in order to get Back to Education, I need to be unemployed for a year or some nonsense, now I sit around twiddling my thumbs for stupid amounts of hours per day.

I have to save up quite a bit of money to get a cheap flight to the U.K. to see my partner.

No, the dole is not the easy life. Please don't assume that because there are some scroungers that we all are all like that.

Would it have been easier if you went from the leaving cert to further education? You lost your job 2 years ago. 2 years. I can image - that was hard. How hard was it was your fiancé to find someone else? how do you feel as a person? how do you think he would feel in comparison to your previous partners?

I to want to do a computer course.. preferably in a shopping trolley (it's extra) and then emigrate and safe my family.

Family?.. now that's sad well it's only "save up quite a bit of money to get a cheap flight to the U.K. to see my partner." ... i'm so glad i'm funding your lifestyle.

*you're

retroactive wrote: »

Would it have been easier if you went from the leaving cert to further education? You lost your job 2 years ago. 2 years. I can image - that was hard. How hard was it was your fiancé to find someone else? how do you feel as a person? how do you think he would feel in comparison to your previous partners?

I to want to do a computer course.. preferably in a shopping trolley (it's extra) and then emigrate and safe my family.

Family?.. now that's sad well it's only "save up quite a bit of money to get a cheap flight to the U.K. to see my partner." ... i'm so glad i'm funding your lifestyle.

I hope to God you're a troll because otherwise you are an absolute bollokcs.

How dare you judge someone who can't get a job for saving up their SW to go see their fiance?? Funding her lifestyle? What lifestyle???? A fcuking flight to the UK to see someone they will marry?

The sooner you emigrate the better - however badly off we are, we're better off WITHOUT YOU

Off you go to Australia and complain about how there's no jobs, while lambasting others on here, saying there ARE jobs. Hypocrite of the highest order. And spelling and grammar is crap aswell for someone apparently so well-educated.

FOOL

retroactive wrote: »

i'm so glad i'm funding your lifestyle.

You're not.

So don't worry about it.

Ainekav wrote: »

Where are you pulling this sh1t from??

Seriously?????

did you even read mine and others posts?

Actually that part is true and more widespread than you would think.
I know lots of single parents that work part time in major retailers ensuring that they only do a set amount of hours per week.

Full entitlements unaffected.

retroactive wrote: »

i'm so glad i'm funding your lifestyle.

Just out of college paying a pissy little amount of PRSI...

You're funding FCUK ALL mate!!!

fat__tony wrote: »

This is the internet which is worldwide I thought. The forums servers are actually based in the US so your argument is nonsense.

They are always in the last place you look.

Gareth2011 wrote: »

You are like me Kieran, I have 10 years experience in manufacturing (microelectronics, hp, phone cable suppliers, pharmacuetical) and It doesnt matter how many CV'S you send off to these people there is always someone better and will work for less (even though they dont know what you will work for) you know who im talking about. If you have the college side of it there is no reason why you shouldnt be applying jobs overseas. Best thing you can do is leave this country. First chance myself and the wife get were gone. No point staying somewhere is isn't going to get better for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnggggg time.

Hi Gareth. I will not be anymore today after this, to respond back to you.

I just hope employers are not been wasteful as to who they've picked for their jobs? At 34 i am still young, and still am able to learn new skills to enable me to do the job. I have know fear of new opportunities, to be honest! I've got real experience, so that should in reality be counted as a bonus? I can however understand employers frustration though Gareth, employers receive countless CV's for Jobs everyday, and they know next to nothing about the candidate, then what's written on their CV... In saying all that however, employers can by know fault of their own, have discriminated, against the better people, who'd be more suitable for the Job offered, and their industry.

Personality, commonsense, and honesty are no were to be found on a CV application, these things are extremely important and often employers will hire people, who lack one, if not all three of these characteristics!

I can't emigrate, as this time, as i have a young daughter. We are pretty close. She lives with her mother though as we are no longer together. I will check out my options next year. I will try look for work then, and maybe consider university in Limerick were i live, but at my age would i be employable still, even with a degree to my name?

Hopefully Gareth you'll get something nothing worse then having to uproot your family and head off. Having 10 years of experience you should be hirable. Its sad the way the country is gone downhill for some of us!!