Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

The Work

Provide ongoing administrative support to the office including, ensuring all correspondence and queries are promptly responded to, passed to the appropriate elected representative and dealt with in the strictest confidence. 

To provide information and advice to individuals who contact the office on a range of issues e.g. housing, health, financial and other social issues

To develop and maintain an appropriate database and filing system for recording affairs

To represent the office at meetings with constituents and to conduct representation on behalf of the party with local authorities, social welfare offices and other agencies

To manage the political office diary in conjunction with the PA based in Leinster House.

To liaise with other local elected representatives, keeping them informed on issues which the politician raises in the Dáil

To work with the PA based in Leinster House to ensure issues of concern are raised in the appropriate forum

To work with the Senator to ensure that the Senator’s work in Leinster House is communicated to the electorate and to the local media

To work with others within the locality in rolling out of campaigns

To provide administrative and\or other assistance as required (under the direction of the Comhairle or Dail Ceantair) to assist the continuing work and development of all local structures within the area

To liaise with the PA based in Leinster House on issues and to monitor and process responses

To liaise with the party at a national level on behalf of the Senators/ TDs, to ensure the dissemination of relevant information etc. to local structures.

To assist the Senator/ TD in developing links with other progressive individuals and organisations within the area

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
• Teach political science.
• Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
• Identify issues for research and analysis.
• Interpret and analyse policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organisations.
• Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
• Provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events.
• Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organisations.
• Forecast political, economic, and social trends.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

There are many skills sets that offer a pathway into Constituency work. People interested in this career, sometimes branch from other experence in marketing, admin, community work, information provision to Political careers through constituency work in Government & politics or Community & Voluntary sectors. 

Training & Development 

FET centre Traineeship:  Business & office adminstration, Digital media, Youthwork NFQ 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET Centre PLC:  Business & office adminstration, Digital media marketing, Journalism, Public relations, Youth & Community work, Politics & International Studies (Pre-University), Social studies NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET PLC coursefinder 

Higher Education CAO  Entry Politics, Youth & Community work, Business & office adminstration, Digital media marketing, Journalism, Public relations NFQ level 6-8  Search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €70k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties. Role, experience, and location.

Data Source(s):
Oireachtas.ie/ Indeed/ Payscale/ Sigmar/ CPL/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual average employment growth rate for this occupation continued to be strong across the five-year period. Census data for 2022 indicates that youth and community workers account for the largest share of occupations within this group and vacancies announced through DSP Jobs Ireland in 2022 were primarily for these roles.

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