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Gardaí defend hiring 16 JobBridge interns for €1.25 an hour

The force is currently seeking a “human rights assistant” and “legal/policing researcher.”

Updated: 9.29 pm

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA have defended their use of JobBridge interns, after facing criticism for advertising for a “human rights assistant” and “legal/policing researcher.”

A posting on the JobBridge website says the force is looking for a “team player” with a third-level degree and who holds a “human rights qualification.”

They are also looking for a “Legal/Policing researcher” to carry out research, analyse material and “contribute to developing policy within An Garda Síochána.”

All for €1.25 an hour.

In response to queries from TheJournal.ie, a Garda spokesperson this evening stood by the use of JobBridge interns, claiming that the force had availed of 16 since the scheme began in 2011.

An Garda Síochána is fully supportive of the government’s National Internship Scheme [JobBridge].
[It is] part of [the force's] strategy in terms of providing and opening up opportunities to those looking to explore or gain the relevant knowledge and skills required to enter into a particular career field.
The Department of Social Protection approves all internships prior to their advertisement.
To date 16 candidates have received internships with An Garda Síochána and we are aware that five of these interns have successfully gained employment outside of An Garda Síochána as a result of the experience they have gained during their placement.All successful candidates are fully vetted before taking up their internship.

In ads posted to the JobBridge website yesterday, the Gardaí are seeking interns to work 40 hours a week for €50 on top of their social welfare payment.

Despite stating that no experience is required, one posting also requires the applicant be a “holder of a human rights qualification.”

humanrightsassistant JobBridge JobBridge

The ad specifies that the successful candidate must have the “ability to observe confidentiality.”

However, TheJournal.ie is awaiting clarification from An Garda Síochána as to whether the human rights assistant will have access to the PULSE system, or other private data relating to members of the public.

Similarly, the force have advertised for a “Legal/Policing researcher” with a third level degree who holds a “legal/policing researcher qualification” and is a “team player.”

The intern will gain practical experience in legal/policing researching, policy development and legal proofing.
They will learn how to carry out research, analyse material and contribute to develop policy within An Garda Síochána. [sic]

legalresearcher JobBridge JobBridge

Here’s the ad for the “human rights assistant” in full:

Description
The intern will gain practical experience in a team environment at the leading edge of policing/human rights, analyse material and contribute to develop policy within An Garda Síochana.The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following on the job training with induction and dedicated Mentor.Learn how to analyse data, prepare reports, deliver presentations. On completion the intern will have attained skills in carrying out research, report writing and presentations.Will also gain experience in working in a team environment as part of a large organisation.In addition high standards of quality control and mentoring will be provided.
Skills Requirements
The individual will have the ability to work as part of a team in delivering a consistent quality of work to deadlines.They will have a high level of personal responsibility and integrity and the ability to observe confidentiality in respect of the work conducted.Please NoteThis is an Internship. An allowance of €50 per week will be paid in addition to your current Social Welfare payment. See eligibility criteria above.Department: An Garda SíochánaMentor: The Organisation will assign a mentor to support you during the Internship.

Duration: 9 months

Number of positions: 1

Contract type: Other

Days, Hours & Start Date

Days per week: To be advised
Hours per day: Not specified
Hours per week: 40
Start date: TBC

Experience required: No experience required

Educational requirements: Third level. Good communication skills and IT skills. Holder of human rights qualification. Team player.

 

Socialist TD and founder of ScamBridge.ie Paul Murphy told TheJournal.ie these postings were “an extreme example of how JobBridge is used to exploit people in the public sector.”

It’s very difficult to see where people are actually being trained [in the Garda Síochana ads].
They seem quite evidently to be jobs, in an important public service where we expect highly qualified people.

Murphy said the use of JobBridge by An Garda Síochána was particularly unwelcome because it “sets a tone for the rest of the economy.”

Now that this is out there, and is getting public opposition, [Garda Commissioner] Nóirín Ó’Sullivan has a responsibility and an opportunity to act and remove the ads.

Originally published: 1.13 pm

Read: There are 24 JobBridge interns in government departments>

IBM and PayPal criticised for using JobBridge to fill science and tech positions>

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138 Comments
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    Mute DaMoons
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:07 PM

    Again, the media pedal the Government story on average income being 51k. The most accurate statistic includes in the same report showed the median income (which represents 90 percent of the population) being less than 24k per year. A hell of a distance from the 51k figure the Journal and government are spinning.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:47 PM

    @DaMoons: while I agree there is a discrepancy, the figure quoted above is household income compared with your figure of individual income. Household income often combines 2 or more individual incomes as it is calculated based on total income divided by number of households, and not individuals.

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    Mute DaMoons
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    Nov 30th 2019, 8:15 PM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: Well, 2 incomes from the 90 percent quoted above still wouldn’t reach 51k. So it obviously points to 3rd and 4th earners living in the same household. Would it be a stretch for me to suggest that it is probably down to adult children not being able to afford somewhere to rent? FG were so proud of this statistic this week. Think about it.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Nov 30th 2019, 9:00 PM

    @DaMoons: I’d say you’d be pretty bang on the money (no pun intended) with that comment. The slightest bit of analysis into the figures and you’d wonder why Fine Gael would be proud of it. And, remember, these are average figures and not median figures which would far more accurately reflect the reality for the vast majority of people.

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    Mute Manbackonboard
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:03 PM

    Constantly broke.

    79
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    Mute StillNotNews
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    Nov 30th 2019, 8:00 PM

    @Manbackonboard: Same, Keep the recovery going, For TDs.

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    Mute SC
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:06 PM

    With an average rent of 24k and childcare for one child 12k, that is just about enough for a small family. It’s not enough for two children.

    And assuming that’s the median, half of households have less. Is it any surprise we have a birth rate below replacement now?

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    Mute Finbarr Barry
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:20 PM

    @SC: and they are quoting disposable income… I. E income after all expenses such as mortgage/rent, utilities et. Etc are paid…. What a load of BS

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    Mute Finbarr Barry
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:23 PM

    @Finbarr Barry: https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/cso-figures-show-mean-disposable-income-is-now-almost-23000-967144.html

    CSO figures show average disposable income in 2018 was €23,000; 9.6% up on 2017

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    Mute Sos
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:32 PM

    @Finbarr Barry: disposable income is income after government tax has been paid. Discretionary income is income after bills have been paid. Given the very high cost of living here I would expect that to be a lot less.

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:42 PM

    @SC: I’m delighted, we deserve it we keep voting for it……keep the rippoffs going lads there are legions of suckers who are stuffing your pockets full of cash and keep voting for you……dumb is an understatement.

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    Mute SC
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    Dec 1st 2019, 10:24 AM

    @Peter Hughes: the government has no power to interfere with the economy because it goes against EU rules in most situations (we can’t borrow to boost housing stock, we can’t subsidise rural industry to take pressure off the cities and keep our language alive etc) so it doesn’t make a difference who you vote for.

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    Mute keano
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    Dec 1st 2019, 10:37 AM

    @Finbarr Barry: no Finbarr I believe disposable incoming is your Income after Tax. Before Rent, mortgage, heat, light, etc etc. which would make it a lot more realistic figure and nothing to be proud of !

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    Mute Anastasia
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    Nov 30th 2019, 8:06 PM

    Spin spin spin the average wage is 20000 euro for a 38 hour week or am I working in the wrong place

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    Mute DaMoons
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    Nov 30th 2019, 8:36 PM

    @Anastasia: 90 percent of the people working in Ireland earn less than 24,000. This figure from the Government is pure spin.

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    Mute Brian Clancy
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    Nov 30th 2019, 9:06 PM

    @DaMoons: that’s rubbish anyway for a start

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    Mute John fitzpatrick
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    Dec 2nd 2019, 8:57 AM

    @DaMoons: so you are saying 90% are on minimum wage? Or are you saying that a huge portion of people are part time. What are you saying. What ever your saying it’s BS. But go , keep on plugging the SF agenda, 13% of the people believe you.

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    Mute Harry Trafford
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    Nov 30th 2019, 10:36 PM

    I work 50+hours a week. I’ve a wife and 2 kids. Council house and a car loan, I’m sure like alot of other houses. All I see is the weekly shop getting more expensive, insurance through the roof, more taxes. I’m not seeing any recovery around here. I’d dream of have 51k disposable income. I call bs on the whole thing. This ff fg government are a joke and need to be shown that we are done being fed lie after lie and tax after tax.

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Nov 30th 2019, 7:43 PM

    All the poor-mouths on here – every pub in the country always seem rammed with people swallowing their disposable incomes down their fat necks. Drink less Irish-alcos and you might feel a little better off. Now I’m off to the pub

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    Mute SC
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    Dec 1st 2019, 10:26 AM

    @Ro-your-nan: I don’t think spending a few hundred a year on drink and a few hundred on electronics explains why people can’t afford ten thousand for childcare or 24k for rent… And my car insurance has nearly doubled even though I’ve never even had a penalty point so we’ll all be paying another grand for that soon enough.

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Dec 1st 2019, 1:11 PM

    @SC: move out to Wicklow and don’t have a kid and you’ll be grand. Reckon people are dropping easily €10k a year (€200 per week) on booze. Look at all the snowflakes eating / drinking in town but they can’t save for a deposit.

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    Mute CJ Stewart
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    Dec 1st 2019, 10:28 AM

    ..well somebody must have disposed of my 51k without me seeing it !

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    Mute Michelle Keeley
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    Dec 1st 2019, 8:20 AM

    https://www.thejournal.ie/rish-workers-earn-an-average-of-e23-an-hour-4677090-Jun2019/

    According to the CSO, the average full time wage is approx €48000 and average partime €17000.

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    Mute Luap
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    Dec 1st 2019, 9:41 AM

    51k DISPOSABLE income? Hahahaha

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