Garda Recruitment- The Waiting to Apply Room

Santa Cruz · 21-12-2013 3:25pm

Pappa Charlie wrote: »

They are just as powerful when it comes down to it and it was the gardai and in particular the AGSI who walked out of Croke park 2 when other groups broke rank and got weak in the face of government bullying. If it's all about the money for you then it's probally not the job for you anyway. The same variables apply to every job and this isn't the first recession I've seen!

Croke Park 2 isn't putting any money in the Gardaí's pockets. They are actually working some days for nothing. Don't be codding yourself thinking that the G.R.A. will lead anyone out on strike for better pay. That day is well and truly gone. The rates of pay for Gardaí are gone back to 1996 levels while like everyone lese they are being hit with property taxes, USC, water rates etc.
It was the Northern situation that forced the various Governments and their fear of the I.R.A. campaign really spreading South to pay the Gardaí well through basic pay and overtime. Without that they would still be back in the 1960s

carzony · 21-12-2013 3:55pm

Pappa Charlie wrote: »

I would bet my life that as the economy grows the government will bring pay up to current levels and even those levels will rise also. Anyone pulling back over pay is a fool, if it what you want go do it, the pay will sort its self out!

pay won't increase properly for 3 years atleast. Sure there's 9 billion intrest to pay back in 2014. As people said before there is only a recruitment to make the goverment look good so they can say ''we recruited more garda''.

I doubt you would have joined for pay like that? with no over time and a lot less garda to fall back on.

I agree, If you love your job then the money is just a bonus but come on. IMO This is just taking advantage of new recruits..

lukesmom · 21-12-2013 4:06pm

Pappa Charlie wrote: »

The pay is ****e but get the foot in the door and in the job, you will then be in the Gra and part of the union. I would bet my life that as the economy grows the government will bring pay up to current levels and even those levels will rise also. Anyone pulling back over pay is a fool, if it what you want go do it, the pay will sort its self out!

Hey I applied but I'm bowing out due to the awful pay and I take offence to the fact of you calling me a fool. I'm not a fool, I'm being realistic. There is no point in me up scuttling myself away from my husband and 3 children for that salary. Not to mention the lack of rent allowance, it just wouldn't make sense for me to.

Pappa Charlie · 21-12-2013 4:17pm

lukesmom wrote: »

Hey I applied but I'm bowing out due to the awful pay and I take offence to the fact of you calling me a fool. I'm not a fool, I'm being realistic. There is no point in me up scuttling myself away from my husband and 3 children for that salary. Not to mention the lack of rent allowance, it just wouldn't make sense for me to.

That's fine if your happy at what you are at, however by and large a person with 3 kids and a partner is generally facilitated when it comes to being stationed within driving distance of home, HR generally don't like splitting up families bad and all as as they can be. I think you are short sighted, however each to their own!

Pappa Charlie · 21-12-2013 4:24pm

Santa Cruz wrote: »

Croke Park 2 isn't putting any money in the Gardaí's pockets. They are actually working some days for nothing. Don't be codding yourself thinking that the G.R.A. will lead anyone out on strike for better pay. That day is well and truly gone. The rates of pay for Gardaí are gone back to 1996 levels while like everyone lese they are being hit with property taxes, USC, water rates etc.
It was the Northern situation that forced the various Governments and their fear of the I.R.A. campaign really spreading South to pay the Gardaí well through basic pay and overtime. Without that they would still be back in the 1960s

There would have been a lot less in everyone's pocket if the government hadn't been challenged by the GRA or AGSI, I get the sence on this forum that some people don't think they are going to make the cut and are now trying to find excuses for not applying. The job has changed repeatedly since I joined in the mid 90's and I've seen overtime come and go. It's either for you or not but don't anyone think they are going to be rich on a garda's wage!

mycro89 · 21-12-2013 4:45pm

A lot of negative comments here lately, I think some people are only addressing the negatives to put others off applying and behind it all those with the negative comments will be in my opinion going forward themselves as candidates!! Can we stay positive about it all!!

WilcoOut · 21-12-2013 6:27pm

Skipping increments due to college education been cut?

The RA is a big loss. A big loss!!

Santa Cruz · 21-12-2013 6:29pm

mycro89 wrote: »

A lot of negative comments here lately, I think some people are only addressing the negatives to put others off applying and behind it all those with the negative comments will be in my opinion going forward themselves as candidates!! Can we stay positive about it all!!

I am not being negative. I am not applying and you will not see any post where I indicated that I was. I am being realistic though about the financial situation. Everyone cannot be stationed convenient to their home and family. If people have to start funding two residences it will be very tight financially. The newly introduced long shift work hours are putting severe demands on families as it is, particularly two career families where child care has to be organised and paid for.
Looking at the financial realities is not being negative. It's being realistic. Anyone who believes that they will benefit from this mythical overtime is not in the real world. Changes in shift work, introduction of reserves and reforms in relation to court attendance have all hit overtime payments. Have a good look at the basic pay, work out the worst scenario weekly budget and see if you are better off financially than your present position. If you have a family that is where your first loyalty should be. It's all well and grand thinking about the so "job satisfaction" but those feeling will dissolve very quickly with no money in your pocket

mycro89 · 21-12-2013 6:48pm

Hasn't every profession in the country taken a hit in recent years? In the long term things will pick up, things will change!

Pappa Charlie · 21-12-2013 7:08pm

Santa Cruz wrote: »

I am not being negative. I am not applying and you will not see any post where I indicated that I was. I am being realistic though about the financial situation. Everyone cannot be stationed convenient to their home and family. If people have to start funding two residences it will be very tight financially. The newly introduced long shift work hours are putting severe demands on families as it is, particularly two career families where child care has to be organised and paid for.
Looking at the financial realities is not being negative. It's being realistic. Anyone who believes that they will benefit from this mythical overtime is not in the real world. Changes in shift work, introduction of reserves and reforms in relation to court attendance have all hit overtime payments. Have a good look at the basic pay, work out the worst scenario weekly budget and see if you are better off financially than your present position. If you have a family that is where your first loyalty should be. It's all well and grand thinking about the so "job satisfaction" but those feeling will dissolve very quickly with no money in your pocket

Most members like the new roster from the feedback i get and it suits those who have to travel distances. I never relied on overtime, I saw it as a bonus when it did come and anyone joining who's factoring it in is a fool! I survived on less money than I am on now, I enjoy the job and it's what I want to do and I factor that in, I wouldn't take twice the money to do a boring 9 to 5 job, maybe I'm a fool but life's too short to not try and pursue the career of your choice, there are promotion prospects, specialist units and when the financial tide rises all boats should rise unless you can tell me why you job will and Garda wages won't?

Santa Cruz · 21-12-2013 7:54pm

Certainly pursue the career of your choice but don't do it with your eyes have closed. Public service wages are going to be severely restricted for a number of years due to the control the E.U. will have over public spending. No such restrictions are in place in the private sector. It is all very well factoring in promotion but with a decrease in the Garda numbers these will be restricted also. As for specialist units membership of those doesn't mean ,massive overtime and outside the main cities such opportunities rarely arise.
You might be happy in a job where you can survive on middling money but I certainly would not.

Pappa Charlie · 21-12-2013 8:00pm

Santa Cruz wrote: »

Certainly pursue the career of your choice but don't do it with your eyes have closed. Public service wages are going to be severely restricted for a number of years due to the control the E.U. will have over public spending. No such restrictions are in place in the private sector. It is all very well factoring in promotion but with a decrease in the Garda numbers these will be restricted also. As for specialist units membership of those doesn't mean ,massive overtime and outside the main cities such opportunities rarely arise.
You might be happy in a job where you can survive on middling money but I certainly would not.

You know where to go so, private sector, so much for the public sector being the handy number, you just proved a point that's been debated to death on boards.ie. I've worked in the private sector, semi state and now public and value a career more than money. I don't make a bad living by the way!

senordingdong · 21-12-2013 11:03pm

You're better off to join at this stage.
Rather than having joined on the pigsback and now finding wolves at the door.

You'll be better able to take stock of your situation and care of your finances by being at the bottom and working up.

HighburyLad · 22-12-2013 1:27am

This is going to be really interesting to see if the numbers that do apply are close to the anticipated 30,000

D Trent · 22-12-2013 1:50am

HighburyLad wrote: »

This is going to be really interesting to see if the numbers that do apply are close to the anticipated 30,000

I doubt it and the majority that have applied will be 18-21yr olds some of which won't have a full driving licence or any first aid course I'd say. But then again they might make the best of guards

carzony · 22-12-2013 1:53am

D Trent wrote: »

I doubt it and the majority that have applied will be 18-21yr olds some of which won't have a full driving licence or any first aid course I'd say. But then again they might make the best of guards

if they are that age a huge amount won't have any work either.. most will be college heads me thinks:D..

thekopend · 22-12-2013 5:17am

D Trent wrote: »

I doubt it and the majority that have applied will be 18-21yr olds some of which won't have a full driving licence or any first aid course I'd say. But then again they might make the best of guards

Full driving licence and first aid makes no difference. None of the recommended qualifications were brought in as requirments.

D Trent · 22-12-2013 2:28pm

thekopend wrote: »

Full driving licence and first aid makes no difference. None of the recommended qualifications were brought in as requirments.

@kopend I never said they would make a difference I know the requirements weren't introduced

thekopend · 22-12-2013 2:34pm

D Trent wrote: »

@kopend I never said they would make a difference I know the requirements weren't introduced

Well you stated that some 18-21 year olds probably don't have a driving license or first aid. 'But then again they might make the best of gards' why make that statement if it does not make a blind bit of difference if they have or have not got one.

Santa Cruz · 22-12-2013 7:09pm

thekopend wrote: »

Well you stated that some 18-21 year olds probably don't have a driving license or first aid. 'But then again they might make the best of gards' why make that statement if it does not make a blind bit of difference if they have or have not got one.

To have a driving licence and/or first aid qualification is not a requirement but to say "it does not make a blind bit of difference if they have or have not got one " is incorrect.
If I was on the interview board I would see having these as a sign of maturity and responsibility and certainly would feel that the holder is a better candidate than a person who has made no effort to improve themselves

Pappa Charlie · 22-12-2013 7:32pm

Santa Cruz wrote: »

To have a driving licence and/or first aid qualification is not a requirement but to say "it does not make a blind bit of difference if they have or have not got one " is incorrect.
If I was on the interview board I would see having these as a sign of maturity and responsibility and certainly would feel that the holder is a better candidate than a person who has made no effort to improve themselves

There are plenty tits driving around with full driving licences and maturity is not a title I would give them because the have a full licence.

carzony · 22-12-2013 7:35pm

Pappa Charlie wrote: »

There are plenty tits driving around with full driving licences and maturity is not a title I would give them because the have a full licence.

Having a drivers license is certaintly a bonus though. Then First aid which is dead handy and could be needed at any time.

Any job I have ever went into were very impressed with my first aid skills that I got from the civil defence..

D Trent · 22-12-2013 7:38pm

Santa Cruz 100% exactly my point you can be full sure interview board will ask candidates do they posess a driving licence. They won't give marks for answer to the Q no matter if answer will b yes or no but they will ask the question

Pappa Charlie · 22-12-2013 7:57pm

D Trent wrote: »

Santa Cruz 100% exactly my point you can be full sure interview board will ask candidates do they posess a driving licence. They won't give marks for answer to the Q no matter if answer will b yes or no but they will ask the question

They haven't a notion of asking you about a driving licence or first aid, it may be on the application form in front of them along with exam results etc but they will be judging you on the interview. They are not going to let a bad candidate thru because they have them and stop a good one because they don't have it. If the job cannot train people in first aid it's pretty poor and when they do they can examine them themselves and have it part of the course and set the standard. There are plenty of people in the gardai who have full driving licences who cannot pass the car courses when they are sent on them!

Santa Cruz · 23-12-2013 1:11pm

Pappa Charlie wrote: »

There are plenty tits driving around with full driving licences and maturity is not a title I would give them because the have a full licence.

And a good few of them "tits" are behind the wheels of patrol cars. Whatever they learn on the driving course is quickly forgotten.

Pappa Charlie · 23-12-2013 1:18pm

Santa Cruz wrote: »

And a good few of them "tits" are behind the wheels of patrol cars. Whatever they learn on the driving course is quickly forgotten.

The emperor has no clothes!

Devil08 · 25-12-2013 2:35pm

I think people should boycott the campaign, tell shatter and the govt to stick it up their arsse.
It's an absolute disgrace expecting gardai to work for that money. They know people will though and that's the sickening part. That people will actually lower themselves to those standards, show some pride guys.
Nobodys life is worth risking for 350 a week.

senordingdong · 25-12-2013 3:30pm

Devil08 wrote: »

I think people should boycott the campaign, tell shatter and the govt to stick it up their arsse.
It's an absolute disgrace expecting gardai to work for that money. They know people will though and that's the sickening part. That people will actually lower themselves to those standards, show some pride guys.
Nobodys life is worth risking for 350 a week.

Well good luck with that, it's an employERs market. Until that changes, expect this trend to continue.

Devil08 · 25-12-2013 4:43pm

senordingdong wrote: »

Well good luck with that, it's an employERs market. Until that changes, expect this trend to continue.

And that's exactly what's wrong with this country. It's only an employers market because we allow it to be. If people had more pride and refused to work for less than what they feel they deserve, then employees would have the upper hand.
Just because there is a recession people shouldn't get soft and bow to fat cats like shatter and Kenny.
So good luck to YOU and the rest. I know who I'd rather be

carzony · 25-12-2013 5:24pm

Devil08 wrote: »

And that's exactly what's wrong with this country. It's only an employers market because we allow it to be. If people had more pride and refused to work for less than what they feel they deserve, then employees would have the upper hand.
Just because there is a recession people shouldn't get soft and bow to fat cats like shatter and Kenny.
So good luck to YOU and the rest. I know who I'd rather be

This is the attitude I developed, not just for the garda recruitment but for everything. I find people just don't wanna listen and have all adopted the attitude ''ah, sure it's a job'' which is unfortunate but there you go mate..

I hate the idea of people getting taken advantage of but if it's the job their happy in then so be it.. I just hope Irish people get preference in this campaign. As an earlier poster said it's time to start looking after our own people..

Garda Recruitment- The Waiting to Apply Room

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