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Irish Water wants to fill 350 temporary positions

The jobs are to be based in Cork.

IRISH WATER HAS announced it is hiring 350 additional staff.

The positions, which are temporary, are to be based in Cork.

The jobs are with Abtran, a company tasked with dealing with Irish Water customers.

Irish Water confirmed it is in the final stages of preparation for billing with the first bills due out in April.

The company is anticipating an increase in the volume of calls over this period.

This is the first time customers will receive a water bill and we will encourage customers to call with any queries they have in relation to their bills.

In preparation for dealing with a high volume of customer queries and ensuring our customer experience meets the expectations of our customers, Abtran is hiring an additional 350 people.

The jobs will be based in the contact centres in Mahon snd Curraheen in Cork.

The positions are to be in place for the first round of billing, at which point Irish Water will review the jobs.

There are currently 450 people employed in Cork as Irish Water call centre staff.

Read: The story of ‘NO’ … 15 moments that have defined the Irish Water protest movement>

Read: Dublin councillors won’t have to foot €6,000 bill for printing anti-water charge leaflets>

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64 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spiderman_Irish
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:16 PM

    350 “more” temporary positions???!

    364
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    Mute Michael
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:29 PM

    Brings employment figures down until the next General Election, then guess what? They are all let go!

    274
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    Mute Michael
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:29 PM

    Unemployment

    130
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    Mute Spiderman_Irish
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:33 PM

    Sounds like:

    Jobridge
    BTEA
    PTEI
    Tús
    Ce Schemes
    Springboard
    VTOS
    etc etc etc

    In that they alter the live register figures?

    202
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    Mute Colm Moran
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:42 PM

    Cant pay wont pay end of story.

    258
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    Mute Protect Democracy!
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:32 PM

    Don’t mention that four lettered word “work” on this site, it’ll have a lot of the free loading lefty looneys frothing at the mouth! That word is like a cross to a vampire to them!

    83
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    Mute Colm Moran
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:34 PM

    PD still spouting your Daly crap I see.

    105
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    Mute Protect Democracy!
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:39 PM

    Colm I think the word you are trying to spell is “daily”!!!

    46
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    Mute Colm Moran
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:45 PM

    Thank you PD, I love spelling lessons from the spelling police.

    72
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    Mute Ink Tonic
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 8:50 PM

    Work being siphoned out to private companies and the profits gained on the backs of Irish citizens going to shareholders. Who owns Abtran?

    66
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    Mute George Grey
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:20 PM

    Of course they are temporary positions….everything about Irish Water is temporary from their policies and planning to their very existence. After the next election they will need temporary “dismantlers”.

    292
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:15 PM

    The spin continues.

    252
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    Mute Pat Snack
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:17 PM

    Good opportunity for the anti-water charge crowd to conduct a Trojan attack!

    251
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    Mute patjoejoe123
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    Mar 3rd 2015, 4:23 PM

    or perhaps learn what work is for a few weeks, would do they layabouts the world of good

    4
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    Mute Derek Smalls
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:27 PM

    ALL the positions in Irish Water are temporary.

    242
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    Mute Barry Walsh
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:27 PM

    Just this once if the country could stick together,it would change the way politics are performed on this island forever

    241
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    Mute Glen
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:19 PM

    Still not paying!

    217
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    Mute Aasif
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:38 PM

    You’ll be the first to pay

    32
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    Mute Fintan Stack
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:00 PM

    Not really, he already pays trough his taxes.

    105
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    Mute Denis O Brien
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 10:05 PM

    I was one of the first to pay. I taxed my car on the 2nd January. 10am

    45
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    Mute One Human Being
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:18 PM

    Won’t be contacting them considering they consider returning the contract as a confirmation of contract. Go copulate yourself quango water.

    190
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    Mute D H
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:58 PM

    But i wonder if you apply and they answer to ackowledge your application could you consider yourself an employee right away? I mean isnt that how they operate? Any communication at all is considered a valid contract under IW rules for engagement

    96
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    Mute Aoife Ni Ici
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:19 PM

    Boycott

    168
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    Mute littleone
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:21 PM

    Wonder if its for cold calling . since the jobs are only temporary.

    145
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    Mute Julian King
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:24 PM

    Zevas cowboys?

    47
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    Mute William Mcgee
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:26 PM

    Short term as the general election will wipe out this stain in Irish history , the people should not fear the government but the government have reason to fear the People, Tick,Tock .

    136
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    Mute bazhealy
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    Mar 3rd 2015, 6:39 AM

    Anyone who promises you they will dismantle irish water and go back to the way things were after any election is straight out lying to you. The fight now should be to ensure that it can’t be privatised. Consumer legislation, trading standards and the competition authority should be on it like a hawk to make sure people aren’t being ripped off and good quality is being assured. We’re stuck with it now. There is no going back. The best has to be made of it, as in it needs to be the best company it can be offering the best service for the best price. Seriously, don’t believe anyone who says they’ll get rid of it and don’t trust anyone who says they can cos there is no plan B. Ireland’s water system is on the verge of collapse and has been for years thanks to massive lack of investment and management. This is really the only solution. Like I said above, it can only be monitored and held to account from here on out. The jobs are all “temporary” but temporary could be years before the infrastructure is overhauled and billing systems are settled. This isn’t going away. It can’t, it’s too far gone.

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:22 PM

    Either your a temporary meter installer, temporary customer care, temporary additional staff or consultants.

    Is the Action plan for jobs temporary?

    131
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    Mute shane carr
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:18 PM

    Would look great on your cv…. Not!

    127
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    Mute Julian King
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:21 PM

    Can’t stand tap water as is, and they want me to pay more?
    Funny stuff!!

    125
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    Mute buzzbaron
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:22 PM

    The abuse hotline. Feel bad already for the earful these will get.

    125
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:27 PM

    I feel bad for those that have to pay their wages

    88
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:29 PM

    Who wants to work for an agent of austerity?

    123
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    Mute Jason
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:53 PM

    You’d rather sponge, eh?

    36
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:00 PM

    Jason sponge, why is he going to stop paying tax?

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 10:37 PM

    Nice try Jason…but I’ve been with my employer for the last fifteen years since when I moved from Dublin to Cork……….the real capital….lol. ;)

    13
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 10:45 PM

    But just be be clear, are these the same jobs advertised in May 2013…
    http://abtran.com/irish-water-call-centre-to-create-400-jobs-in-cork

    …or are they telling us that together there will be 750 total with this…
    http://www.irishtimes.com/business/markets/equities/abtran-wins-irish-water-call-centre-contract-1.1404712

    …or is this just readvertising the same ones again just because there’s an election on the way because they were never filled in the first place…new trick!….creating twice the amount of jobs for half the amount of people….lol.

    18
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    Mute Diarmuid O'Connor
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:27 PM

    Very temporary.

    122
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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:49 PM

    When these bills come out just bin them or burn them.If you send them back unopened they will claim you are a customer of theirs.Remember if only 30% of us refuse their finished, though I believe it will be nearer 65%.

    117
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    Mute Super Hanz
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:28 PM

    I believe the company is Abtran. Have a google of the company there. From what I see they aren’t even based in this country, and are set up in a tax haven in the Virgin Islands.

    105
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    Mute RonanM
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:40 PM

    You beleive wrong they are one of the largest Irish companies in their sector i. Ireland

    39
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    Mute Aoife Ni Ici
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:53 PM

    Temporary Taoiseach Temporary Tanaiste. Sack them. Unfit for purpose. Oh yeah, Endaconversation & Phonyjoany can always apply in due course…

    97
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    Mute Linda Crowe
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:42 PM

    “Ensuring our customer experience meets the expectations of our customers…” – had to laugh at that little gem. Number 1: just because you send someone an application pack, does not make them your customer. Number 2: based on your record to date, I could not have a lower expectation of how your “customer experience” will be. Even if you hired staff to answer the phone, reading from a script to say: “hello, you’ve reached Irish Water, now go F off” – and then hang up, it would still result in a greater level of “customer experience” than I currently expect.

    94
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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:40 PM

    Temporary, that’s all its going to be.
    Hi, this is john from irish water
    P@ss off
    Goodbye.

    77
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    Mute Tony
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:23 PM

    I’ll bring my hole in the bucket to interview!

    75
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    Mute Davy Boy
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:37 PM

    Why it’s a fixed rate why would you call if you not paying why would you call another waste of tax payers money what’s the point

    73
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    Mute Setrakian
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:24 PM

    They’ll probably set it up as a premium line pay number! CALL 1800 QUANGO! Seriously – nothing is beneath that shower of to$$ers.
    I wont be calling – I’m not ever going to be their ‘customer’. All out – March 21st.

    65
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    Mute Deco James Connolly
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:00 PM

    There’s always people with no regard or loyalty to their fellow human being who will take up these kind of positions for short term gain , they used to be called scabs back in the day when unions had the people’s back.

    57
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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 8:31 PM

    I’d have no problem with anyone I know working for Abtran. Do you regard shop workers who handle Israeli produce scabs?

    17
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    Mute Patrick O'Brien
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:12 PM

    Some jobs are not worth having!

    48
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    Mute Vinny Wallace
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:23 PM

    I guess beggars can be choosers. Go figure

    12
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    Mute Martin Smith
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:34 PM

    instead of returning the bill unopened just bin it. Remember Irish Water included the returned unopened packs to register people.

    46
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    Mute Martin Smith
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:31 PM

    these are not jobs in Irish Water these are jobs in Abtran. Irish Water do not have a call centre they have given the contract to Abtran….At least get the story correct

    40
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    Mute Robert Moore
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 7:46 PM

    It’s a bit premature when the elections haven’t even been heald yet, but I suppose there is always topaz.

    35
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    Mute Zena 92
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 8:04 PM

    There should be enough TD & other clowns unemployed shortly they can apply for these temporary positions.

    33
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    Mute leslie skinner
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 10:54 PM

    Not a customer so don’t waste your time sending any bill to my house.I WILL NEVER PAY TWICE FOR WATER I WILL GO TO JAIL FIRST.

    23
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    Mute Denis Kiely
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 8:55 PM

    Is this company another Denis O Brien associate ? I thought the he owned 25% but very hard to tell with the BVI companies. I though the when they originally anounced the irish water jobs at Abtrans it said that the famous Denis owned a piece but have not been able to find article since. Usually a reason to hide behind BVI shareholdings.

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    Mute Vinny Wallace
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 6:23 PM

    Yeah a job would look good on your cv.

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    Mute Mindfulirish
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    Mar 3rd 2015, 1:15 AM

    How many leases have Irish Water signed on rented buildings.? Who owns the buildings and how long are the leases? Are there any councillors or county managers owners of the properties? It stinks to high heaven and the CEO has a dreadful track record of shady deals.

    12
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    Mute The Magnificent Hog
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 8:33 PM

    10.15
    Saturday night
    And the tap drips
    Under the strip light
    And I’m sitting
    In the kitchen sink
    And the tap drips
    Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip drip

    Waiting
    For the telephone to ring
    And I’m wondering
    Where she’s been
    And I’m crying
    For yesterday
    And the tap drips
    Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip drip

    It’s always the same

    12
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    Mute Irish Bob
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    Mar 3rd 2015, 1:48 AM

    Propaganda and bad propaganda at that.
    Is Abtran a Private Company ?
    Would these then be temp employees of Abtran and not Irish Water ?
    Why would Irish Water need temp employees as it is over staffed ?
    What the hell are the people in Irish Water doing when …
    They dont fix leaks
    They have Consultants doing the real work for them ..
    Have 5 PR Companies doing the propaganda for them
    Private Call Centers answering the phones for them
    GMC installing the meters for them
    81,000 euros a week to law firms for god knows what
    ?????????????

    10
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    Mute Vinny Wallace
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    Mar 2nd 2015, 11:34 PM

    The dole murchants are out in force tonight! Another 350 men and women who want to put in a days work and provide for there families for the anti austerity alliance to bully and harass!

    6
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    Mute Sternn
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    Mar 3rd 2015, 9:52 AM

    There are 900 people in Cork working the call centre for Irish Water? That is more people than most large companies employ in total in this country.

    4
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    Mute patjoejoe123
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    Mar 3rd 2015, 4:21 PM

    where and when can people apply

    2
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