What are the current issues affecting this sector?
What changes are anticipated over the next 5 years
Do you have any statistics relevant to the sector?
Are there any areas in your sector currently experiencing skills shortages?
Please give an overview of your sector?
The Civil Service consists of over thirty different Departments/Offices. They provide services for and on behalf of the Government. They play an important role in the economic and social life of Ireland through implementing policies and delivering services to the public. The everyday life issues that the Civil Service deals with change constantly, resulting in developments within government Departments/Offices to provide a better service to our customers.
To do this work we need a strong team comprising committed, ambitious individuals with an interest in progressing services delivered to the public in Ireland. Key to this is the role within the Civil Service of both graduates and non-graduates - in administrative or professional/specialist roles.
Although the Civil Service deals with a broad number of areas, its primary goal is to provide services to the public. This involves working with the government, implementing policies and services and helping in the drafting of new policies. Some of our work involves direct contact with the public, and other work involves research. Maybe you see yourself as someone who would like to work providing customer services, or maybe you would feel happier working in human resources or dealing with accounts. No matter what you are interested in, it is very likely that there are many roles in the Civil Service that would appeal to you.
What is the size and scope of the sector?
The Civil Service deals with the most diverse workload of any organisation in Ireland - employing circa 30,000 people in more than 30 different departments and offices. To find out more you can browse the government website: www.gov.ie
The Civil Service's primary goal is to provide quality service to its customers; the public. This involves working with government and helping to draft policies and implement services that help Ireland run smoothly, both nationally and internationally.
What are the current issues affecting this sector?
The Civil Service has undergone an extensive programme of modernisation under the auspices of the Department of Expenditure and Public Reform. The implementation of the modernisation agenda has been, and continues to be, driven by the various social partnership agreements across the public service.
The modernisation agenda has been implemented across a wide range of headings, including quality customer services, better management of performance, better financial and human resource management, and greater flexibility and openness to change.
There is a recruitment and promotion moratorium in place in the civil service, local authorities, non-commercial state bodies, the Garda Síochána and the Permanent Defence Forces. However, there are many opportunities available to work in the EU: click here.
Decisions in respect of future recruitment campaigns will be taken in the context of the business needs of the relevant organisation, the moratorium on recruitment and promotion and any redeployment arrangements agreed for the civil and public service.
During times of recruitment, open competitions have been held for recruitment to entry level grades of Clerical, Executive and Administrative Officer. The Social Partnership Agreements made provision for open recruitment to other Civil Service grades under the themes of Public Service Modernisation.
What changes are anticipated over the next 5 years
The Civil Service must continue to modernise and at a faster rate than heretofore if it is to continue to meet the expectations and requirements of our increasingly sophisticated, complex and diverse society. National partnership agreements have provided an important framework for meeting the economic and social challenges ahead. They build on previous achievements and set out an extensive agreed programme of measures to achieve improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery.
Areas covered include organisational change, team-working and cross-functional working, new technology & e-Government, and service delivery.
Do you have any statistics relevant to the sector?
There are currently circa 30,000 people employed by the Civil Service in over 30 main departmental areas.
Are there any areas in your sector currently experiencing skills shortages?
Although there is a recruitment and promotion moratorium in place in public service, decisions in respect of future recruitment campaigns will be taken in the context of the business needs of the relevant organisation, the moratorium on recruitment and promotion and any redeployment arrangements agreed for the civil and public service. There are many opportunities available to work in the EU: click here.
Continue to...
Questions about the sector
Questions about the career opportunities
Questions about education and training
Questions about global opportunities
Advice for people interested in this area
Higher Executive Officer
Sinead O'Hara "I have both the possibility to work closely with a team, as well as the opportunity to work on, and have an input into the formulation of new policy."
Industrial Relations Officer
Paul Shortt "The job requires someone who is able to work under pressure, is comfortable with public speaking, is confident, assertive and decisive."
Clerical Officer
Damien Dollard "Attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people with different needs are very important in my job."
Architect
Ray Harli "Everyday is an education, you constantly have to educate and re-educate yourself!"
Prison Officer
Margaret Donaghue "tasks range from working on a landing, in the school, gym, waiting room, escort duty to hospital or court etc"
Psychologist - Occupational
Aoife Lyons "I am employed to bring the principles of psychology into the recruitment and selection service that the Public Appointments Service offers"
Third Secretary
Nora Barry "An enthusiastic approach to my daily tasks and a desire to learn ensures I make the most of every experience"
Prison Officer
Paul Harding "I must remain alert and ready to deal with any situation as and when they arise"
