Iarnród Éireann begins external recruitment for drivers

[kevconnor]

Iarnród Éireann begins external recruitment for drivers
Iarnród Éireann is launching its first external recruitment process for train drivers.

The company is looking for 100 drivers over four years and says it is very keen to recruit women drivers.

There are only four female train drivers out of a current total of 500 in Iarnród Éireann.

Drivers' salaries start at €45,000, going up to €57,000 on a ten-year scale.

It says candidates must meet European Train Driver Licensing requirements, with a minimum of nine years full-time education and must be over the age of 20.

The application process will involve a number of stages, the company said.

Successful applicants will then undergo a 32-week training programme.

An Iarnród Éireann spokesperson has denied that there is a bias against women within the company.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Jane Cregan said they have tried "very hard" to internally recruit women to driving and craft working positions.

Ms Cregan said they have recently recruited female craft worker apprentices.

"Its something that we very much want to grow within our business, but unfortunately not very many women apply to take on these roles," she said.

Ms Cregan added that the company is looking for drivers externally for the first time due to expansion plans and scheduled retirements.

She said driving a train is a tough and responsible job, and can be a solitary role.

Gillian Clarke, one of the four female train drivers working for Iarnród Éireann, said she started working with the company in customer services and progressed to become a driver.

"There's lots of things you have to keep very focused on - what size train you're driving, the weather conditions on that day - because they all play a part in how well you perform and how well the train performs really," she said.

For anyone who maybe interested it’s being reported by RTE this morning that Iarnród Éireann has launched a recruitment campaign for a significant number of new drivers over the next few years. Vacancies are live now at the following website.

http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/career-opportunities-at-iarnrod-eireann#Train Drivers

 

[irish_rail]

What are the depots in Dublin now? Connelly and Heuston? Or do they get based at the maintenance locations like inchicore?

 

[theironroad]

Interesting, shame that cost for housing either renting or buying is so expensive in Dublin.

 

[bionic]

"Candidates must be willing to work various shift patterns, including weekend work, between 39-48 hours a week"

That's a pretty serious flat working week for a driver. Presumably it's over five days?

"Drivers' salaries start at €45,000, going up to €57,000 on a ten year scale"

So in sterling the neweat qualified drivers are on circa £40,500 while the €57k top rate drivers earn just over £51,000 after TEN YEARS.

Most TOCs in the UK pay newly qualified drivers higher than the Irish ten year top rate for a 4 day 35 hour week.

Obviously if you live in Ireland and want to be a driver you'll take what you can get with the railways you have, but forty grand a year for best part of fifty hours a week doesn't sound like much cop to me, especially when you factor in the price of a pint in Ireland.

I'm quite surprised to be honest. I assumed they'd be on better pay and conditions than that.

Good luck to those applying though. I don't mean to put anyone off, I'm just surprised. I had heard it was a closed shop over there.

 

[Greaseball3220]

Thought there'd be ice skating in Hell before this happening!

A 'closed shop' doesn't even come close to describing Irish Rail.

 

[godfreycomplex]

What are the depots in Dublin now? Connelly and Heuston? Or do they get based at the maintenance locations like inchicore?

Yup, plus DART drivers are based at Fairview depot (plus a few at Bray)

 

[irish_rail]

How far do Heuston drivers get? All the way to Cork and Galway for example or less far? Do connolly men sign as far as Belfast?

 

[theironroad]

I can't see them getting loads of UK drivers applying unless theyre originally from Ireland and want to be nearer family etc or i suppose it could be a route to Irish residency and ultimately citizenship and an EU passport. I'm pretty sure the ability for either citizen to work freely in either country long predates the EU and continues after Brexit .

 

[Elwyn]

I can't see them getting loads of UK drivers applying unless theyre originally from Ireland and want to be nearer family etc or i suppose it could be a route to Irish residency and ultimately citizenship and an EU passport. I'm pretty sure the ability for either citizen to work freely in either country long predates the EU and continues after Brexit .

Yes that’s right.


Both the UK and the Republic of Ireland have legislation which allows free movement of each other’s nationals to work and live in the other country. There are some very limited exceptions to do with criminals and national security but in general the 2 countries agreed this in the early 1950s. I know that the UK allows Irish people to enter freely under a Section in the 1971 Immigration Act (which predates the 2 countries joining the EU on 1.1.1973). That Act remains in force. Ireland has a similar piece of legislation allowing UK citizens to reside there without restriction. So, as you say, there will be no change after Brexit.

 

[craigybagel]

Interesting, shame that cost for housing either renting or buying is so expensive in Dublin.

Plenty of other depots on IÉ, not just in Dublin. Cost of living is a lot cheaper in the rest of the country. A few of the depots are close enough to the Border you could even commute from Northern Ireland if you really wanted to....

"Candidates must be willing to work various shift patterns, including weekend work, between 39-48 hours a week"

That's a pretty serious flat working week for a driver. Presumably it's over five days?

"Drivers' salaries start at €45,000, going up to €57,000 on a ten year scale"

So in sterling the neweat qualified drivers are on circa £40,500 while the €57k top rate drivers earn just over £51,000 after TEN YEARS.

Most TOCs in the UK pay newly qualified drivers higher than the Irish ten year top rate for a 4 day 35 hour week.

Obviously if you live in Ireland and want to be a driver you'll take what you can get with the railways you have, but forty grand a year for best part of fifty hours a week doesn't sound like much cop to me, especially when you factor in the price of a pint in Ireland.

I'm quite surprised to be honest. I assumed they'd be on better pay and conditions than that.

Good luck to those applying though. I don't mean to put anyone off, I'm just surprised. I had heard it was a closed shop over there.

The difference between a public and private railway.

That said, bus and tram drivers are in general earning a lot more at Dublin Bus/Bus Eireann/Luas then people performing the same role in the UK, and the first two of those 3 firms are also state run.

How far do Heuston drivers get? All the way to Cork and Galway for example or less far? Do connolly men sign as far as Belfast?

They certainly used to. Not sure if it's still the case but I'd be surprised if it isn't.

 

[seano]

Hi guys. Does anyone know how many lines are on each block for the mini scaat and how much time do you get for the each block?

 

[scally]

Hi guys.
Does anyone know if you have to learn Irish or will all communication be done in English?
Thx.

 

[seano]

You definitely wont have to learn Irish. Did you apply? Applications close today.