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Please tell us a little bit about your role.

I began working within the Banking Division in the Department of Finance in September 2022. Originally I was working in the Financial Stability section. The work included assessing any potential risks to the financial system and mitigating any risks.

I recently moved to the Central Bank Policy Section. The Central Bank is under the aegis of the Department of Finance and the section is responsible for policies on Central Bank powers. A large part of my work in the section is the Individual Accountability Framework (Central Bank Act 2023), which was commenced in 2023.

What were your reasons for applying for your role?

I applied for the AO Graduate Programme as I knew the civil service offered a lot of opportunities. There are many opportunities to progress your career in the civil service and that is a big motivating factor. I knew it would be a place to develop new skills and while in college I knew I wanted a job in the public sector.

What do you value most about your job?

I value the contribution that I have made to policies. I feel that my work is valued in the Department and that I am encouraged to share my opinions. I feel that hard work is recognised in the Department and have been given many opportunities, for example attending events with the Minister or Secretary General.

What are some of the benefits and supports available to you?

I feel there is a range of support available in the Department. The Department of Finance offers a range of in-house courses; I am currently doing a course in Financial Services. The course has really helped me in my job and given me a better overview of the financial services landscape. The Department encourages us to continuously develop our skills and ensure we have the necessary knowledge.

There is a buddy system in place in the Department, which is a big help when starting. There is also a mentoring system starting soon, which will be a benefit. The Department recently established a Gender Equity Network. There are regular events hosted and they are always very proactive in searching for suggestions.

The Department offers flexible working hours and working from home, which is a big benefit.

What opportunities has this role provided for you?

I have had many opportunities while in my role in the Department. I recently completed the Graduate Programme course. The course offers the core competencies of the civil service and allows a chance to network with other AOs in the civil service.

I have had the chance to collaborate with a range of different Departments and agencies. While in Financial Stability, I was given the chance to attend an event hosted by the Office of Emergency Planning.

I have been given the chance to attend a range of events and conferences allowing me to build my network.

I had the chance to be in the Dáil during the budget debates, as I volunteered to do the note-taking.

What has surprised you since starting this role?

The social aspect of the job surprised me. Within the Department there is a Social Club who organise events for the Department, such as tours, table quizzes. It is a great chance to meet people from other divisions.

What aspect of the role do you particularly enjoy?

I enjoy the variety of my role and the complexity of the role. In my section, we deal with a wide range of issues and allow me to work on different tasks.

I also enjoy the social aspect of the job. I feel very lucky to be in the Division where everyone is very supportive and the overall atmosphere in the Division is very positive.

Would you recommend a career in the public sector and why?

I would recommend a career in the civil service. I believe it is a place where you can progress and work in a range of different places. I have been in the Department of Finance for a little over a year and have already worked in two different sections and have gained new skills.

Anything else you would like to share?

I feel being fluent in Irish has been a great benefit to me in my role. I have been able to offer help with translating to other colleagues and see the Irish language as an advantage.

Please tell us a little bit about your role.

I am in my 6th year in the Banking Division of Department of Finance. I spent the first 4 years working on Crisis Planning and response, working closely with officials from the Central Bank and NTMA. Since then I have been working on Financial Consumer Protection and Consumer Credit including mortgage arrears.

What were your reasons for applying for your role?

I had started working in Department of Justice as an Immigration Officer (Clerical Officer grade) which I really enjoyed, but I wanted to get involved in policy-making rather than service delivery. However, I found that one can definitely inform the other.

What do you value most about your job?

I mostly value the fact that I know the work I carry out ultimately benefits society in a positive way, as our drive is to make things better for our citizens.

What are some of the benefits and supports available to you?

As someone who suffered greatly in the Great Financial Crisis where I was out of proper work for many years and then had to start at the bottom again, I cannot overstate the comfort I feel with the security of tenure that comes with working for government.

Also, there are a huge variety of family-friendly work patterns available, such as shorter working year, career breaks, half-time, 4-day weeks, or whatever you and your family need to make things work at different stages of your life. The work/life balance available is exceptional.

What opportunities has this role provided for you?

I have been afforded endless opportunities to develop my skills and competencies through specific job training and through formal advanced education.

Since joining, I have completed two professional diplomas and a master’s degree at no financial cost to myself. I have also got to travel to Brussels and be involved in developing EU legislation.

What has surprised you since starting this role?

I was somewhat surprised at how dynamic my workplace is. There are constantly new challenges arising, reflecting what is going on in the world. Thankfully, I am surrounded by intelligent, innovative, driven professionals, who are committed to public service.

What aspect of the role do you particularly enjoy?

I love how there are always new challenges and projects to deliver. The work is interesting and in the role of Administrative Officer you can really get to contribute to developing policies, your opinions and ideas will be heard. There is also a lot of responsibility and autonomy in the role that will appeal to people who are serious about wanting to improve public policy.

Would you recommend a career in the public sector and why?

Aside from the security, there are huge opportunities for self-development and career progression.

The service itself and your colleagues will support you along the way, from training to advice on career development. And the main thing is a sense of satisfaction in your work.

Anything else you would like to share?

I only started my third level education in my late 20s. I was 38 when I joined the service. I wish I knew earlier what I know now, as I find this work the most rewarding of any of the jobs or careers I have had in the past. I only regret not joining sooner.

Please tell us a little bit about your role.

I work in the Economics Division in the Department of Finance. I have a number of responsibilities, including preparing briefings about ongoing policy issues, responding to Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information Requests, and conducting research into several aspects of the Irish economy.

What were your reasons for applying for your role?

I felt that the role requirements and opportunities outlined for the AO Business and Finance Stream were highly suitable for my personal skillset. As a recent graduate with a background in empirical and quantitative work from university, but also with a keen interest in public policy, this position seemed to be an ideal fit.

What do you value most about your job?

I am particularly grateful to have secured a role that involves work which I genuinely enjoy. I am able to dedicate time to interesting long-term projects whilst also playing a part in responding to developing events on a day-to-day basis.

What are some of the benefits and supports available to you?

I have access to an excellent selection of training courses (including professional writing courses, courses on career planning in the public sector and educational courses on law-making), which allow me to enhance my knowledge and skills. I also have considerable flexibility with the option of working-from-home, for which I have been provided with all the necessary equipment.

What opportunities has this role provided for you?

As an AO, I have been able to both learn a huge amount on how the Civil Service operates and contribute to its response to ongoing challenges. I have also had the privilege of meeting international representatives visiting Ireland.

What has surprised you since starting this role?

I was surprised by speed at which I was integrated into the team and given important responsibilities. I was never given menial work to do or kept out of important discussions, which I greatly appreciated.

What aspect of the role do you particularly enjoy?

I really appreciate the diversity of tasks which I am asked to carry out as an AO, on a range of different issues. My role ensures that I am not simply performing the same tasks on the same subject, hence I am able to remain highly-engaged with my work.

Would you recommend a career in the public sector and why?

I would highly recommend the public sector to anyone seeking a fulfilling job with great career opportunities. The work is both interesting and rewarding in nature, and there are always a wide range of supports available. Finally, I have had the fortune of working with extremely helpful and friendly colleagues that immediately make new recruits feel like part of the team.

Anything else you would like to share?

The recruitment process via PAS was very clear and well-structured for candidates. Dates and details for assessments/interviews were communicated in good time, and plenty of feedback was offered after each stage.

Please tell us a little bit about your role.

I am working as an Administrative Officer in the Department of Finance. My role is multifaceted as it involves responsibilities that include (but not limited to) working on policy formulation and analysis, research and providing administrative support while making sure all the work must be done at a high administrative standard.

What were your reasons for applying for your role?

I think the compelling factors that motivated me to apply for this role depends on several reasons. Firstly, I was keenly interested to work in Civil service and especially my interests were more to the policy and regulation side of Finance. Second, it was obvious from the job description for this role that it would offer me diverse experience and intellectual challenges which I was really keen to explore.

What do you value most about your job?

As an employee, I value the overall positive organisational culture in the workplace and team support. It has been six months since I joined this role, and the department’s dedication to serve and enhance the well- being of the public and maintaining a high standard of integrity and accountability and respect for diversity is indeed a significant source of pride for myself.

What are some of the benefits and supports available to you?

Professional Development: The department provides support for professional development and learning for all employees based on their specific work related needs for upskilling and training.

Flexible Work Arrangements: The department offers flexible work arrangements and it helps me maintain work-life balance.

Employees’ Wellbeing Initiatives: The department is committed to the well-being of the employees and hence offers a number of initiatives to support the employees’ well-being. This includes various wellness checks, working from home ergonomic checks and providing support and reasonable accommodation based on individual circumstances.

What opportunities has this role provided for you?

As a part of my role, I have access to incredible opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD). There are a huge number of funded opportunities to take upskilling courses through the One Learning platform and other resources. Having a background in academia, I have recognised the importance of staying informed of new and emerging technologies, industry trends and the evolving best practices and the added value that it brings to my role as a civil servant.

What has surprised you since starting this role?

I am amazed by the level of team and peer support that is available in the department. There is an overall culture of collaboration, mentorship, support and a commitment to create a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees of different backgrounds, ages, gender, race or ethnicity feel welcome.

What aspect of the role do you particularly enjoy?

I enjoy every aspect of being a civil servant. In particular I enjoy being part of the teams working dedicatedly on policies and legislation that will have a positive impact on peoples lives not just now but also in the years to come.

Would you recommend a career in the public sector and why?

Yes, I would definitely recommend anyone to pursue a career in civil service especially if they are interested in public service, policy development and implementation, and have greater aspiration to contribute to challenging and diverse business needs associated with the role.

Please tell us a little bit about your role.

As an Administrative Officer in the Tax Division of the Department of Finance, I have been involved in a number of tasks, including the preparation of briefing for the Minister of Finance as part of Finance Bill 2023, working on the Department’ Tax Expenditure reporting, as well as working on the Political Party Costings service. I have also had the chance to attend the Dáil and Seanad at different stages of the legislative process.

What were your reasons for applying for your role?

I have always had an interest in current affairs and enjoyed studying macro and regional economics as part of my undergraduate studies. I applied for this role as I believed the duties I would be carrying out would allow me to work in the fields I had an interest in.

What do you value most about your job?

I enjoy the wide variety of exciting tasks that I carry out. Given the nature of the role, every week brings new tasks on important and topical issues in Irish society.

What are some of the benefits and supports available to you?

The Department offer many training and further education opportunities. I am enrolled in a Professional Diploma in Tax Policy and Practice and have the opportunity to pursue further Masters opportunities after I have completed it.

What opportunities has this role provided for you?

This role has given me the chance to take part in the legislative process for Finance Bill 2023, including working on briefing material, preparing Budget Day publications and attending the Dáil and Seanad.

What has surprised you since starting this role?

I have been surprised by the immediate level of trust and responsibility given to me by my more experienced colleagues. I have been given the opportunity to directly contribute to important work in the Department

What aspect of the role do you particularly enjoy?

I enjoy being able to participate in and contribute to the political process such as attending the Dáil and Seanad to assist the Minister during the legislative process.

Would you recommend a career in the public sector and why?

I would definitely recommend a career in the public sector due to the extensive further education opportunities they offer.

Anything else you would like to share?

Overall the role as AO in the Department of Finance has been very different to what I expected. It has been engaging and exciting and everyone in the Department has been very supportive and encouraging.

Please tell us a little bit about your role.

I joined the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) in 2023, following a year’s experience in another role within the civil service. I am currently part of the Offshore Environment and Future Energy Division within DECC.

The predominant focus of my work since joining the Department has been working on the National Energy and Climate Plan. This is a large, challenging & rewarding project, which has entailed working with colleagues, both within DECC and across governmental departments & other organisations, to put together a report which summarises Ireland’s policies & progress on advancing the five dimensions of the European Energy Union: decarbonisation, energy efficiency, energy security, internal energy market, and research, innovation & competitiveness.

What were your reasons for applying for your role?

I studied for a BA in Economics, Politics and Law from DCU, a programme with a heavy focus on public policy and one from which I felt a career in the civil service was a natural fit. The desire to pursue a career in the civil service informed my decision to study for an MSc in Comparative Social Change at UCD, which I felt would broaden my understanding of the role of the public service in wider society.

The civil service values of honesty, integrity and placing the interests of the citizen at the heart of decision-making processes appealed to me as being very much aligned with my own values, which contributed to making it an easy decision to apply.

What do you value most about your job?

I value the contribution my work, and that of my colleagues in DECC makes to securing a better future for Ireland. As a nation, Ireland has fantastic potential to be a world leader in areas such as offshore wind energy production, and now is an exciting time to be part of a team and a department which has a crucial role to play in unlocking that potential.

What are some of the benefits and supports available to you?

Flexible working hours & hybrid working are among a number of benefits which allow me to enjoy a great work-life balance, which not all careers allow. In addition, supports are regularly provided to enhance your understanding of issues which are important to your role: the opportunity to attend courses, seminars & conferences which strengthen your knowledge and, in turn, provide you with a platform to perform your role to the very best of your ability.

Having come into the role with an academic background not necessarily specific to my current area of focus, the resources I’ve been given to learn on the job have been a great help in enabling me to find my feet and contribute to the team.

What opportunities has this role provided for you?

Through DECC, I have had the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the challenges Ireland faces from a public policy perspective, and the vital role that the public service plays in tackling these challenges head on.

I’ve been privileged to attend conferences, meetings and seminars where experts from all sectors of society have shared their thoughts, concerns and suggestions relating to all things energy and climate. I’ve also had the opportunity to attend meetings in Brussels with our counterparts and colleagues from other European countries, learning a great deal from their knowledge and expertise.

My role has allowed me to work as part of a fantastic team of people who are knowledgeable and passionate about their areas of expertise, while also working in an environment where initiative and resourcefulness are encouraged and appreciated.

What aspect of the role do you particularly enjoy?

I enjoy the variety which exists within my role. No day is boring, while no two days are the same. While working on one major project for a number of weeks or months, opportunities still arise daily to attend seminars or conferences with colleagues on a wide variety of subjects. Experts from the fields of academia or private industry are often brought in to give talks on their own field of interest, which allows us to further our own learning while also seeing issues through another lens.

Would you recommend a career in the public sector and why?

Absolutely. If you are motivated by the prospect of a career in which you can make a positive contribution to society, while also enjoying great variety and flexibility in your day-to-day work, then a career in the public service is for you.

Anything else you would like to share?

Few decisions are more intimidating than choosing your career path, but the first steps are often the most difficult. A career in the public service offers great opportunities and would be a great next step for anyone who’s considering it.