Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

• Provide information, advice and guidance to individual clients and to groups, and provide referral to other agencies as appropriate in response to customer needs.
• Broker services with educational bodies and other support institutions as emerging customer needs are identified.
• Share good practice from the sector and supporting the mainstreaming of relevant lessons into national policy and practice. 
• Carry out administrative and record keeping duties as required to manage a case load of customers.
• Engage in in-house training on internal processes and social welfare entitlements.
• Engage customers in face-to-face and telephone interviews to develop a clear individual progression plan.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants' legal rights.
• Interview benefits recipients at specified intervals to certify their eligibility for continuing benefits.
• Keep records of assigned cases, and prepare required reports.
• Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.
• Answer applicants' questions about benefits and claim procedures.
• Interview and investigate applicants for public assistance to gather information pertinent to their applications.
• Initiate procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate assistance, or refer applicants to other agencies for assistance.
• Check with employers or other references to verify answers and obtain further information.
• Compute and authorise amounts of assistance for programs, such as grants, monetary payments, and food stamps.
• Schedule benefits claimants for adjudication interviews to address questions of eligibility.

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.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

The qualification in Case officer & JOb coach guidance and counselling can be varied. Employers place importance on the right personal qualities. Relevant life and work experience are also highly valued. You may have gained this in an area such as: Teaching, Youth and Community work, Social care work, Probation work or Personnel & HR work. Jobs are advertised via the Public appointment service.  

  
Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship & PLC courses: Teaching, Youth & Community work, Social work, and Probation work or Personnel & HR at NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

CAO Higher Education entry: Teaching, Youth and Community work, Social work, and Probation work or Personnel/ HR at NFQ level 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder 

Professional Development options

Certificate in Adult Guidance, Theory and Practice 
1 year part-time (contact MU directly for more information and entry criteria)

Posgraduate Options Adult Guidance NFQ level 9

Dublin City University (DCU) MSc in Guidance Counselling 2 year part time (contact DCU directly regarding entry criteria)

University of Limerick (UL) MA Guidance Counselling & Lifespan Development 2 year part time (contact UL directly regarding entry criteria)

Maynooth University (MU) Post Graduate Diploma (Arts) in Adult Guidance Counselling 2 year part time - FURTHER EDUCATION ONLY - (contact MU directly regarding entry criteria)

Recognizing Foreign Guidance Qualifications

NARIC Ireland provides advice on the academic recognition of foreign qualifications by comparing them, where possible and appropriate, to a major award type and level on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). A comparability statement for each qualification listed is available for download on the NARIC website. 

Professional Development & CPD 

Institute of Guidance Counsellors 

DEASP Funded Intreo services 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €66k

Salaries vary by Civil service grade, role, duties within the Intreo employment service. These rates are subject to change in line with national pay agreements, check Public appointments service for details.

Data Source(s):
Gov.ie / Forsa

Last Updated: March, 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.

• Intreo - DEASP

  • Nationwide Local Offices
  • Click Here

• IGC Institute Of Guidance Counsellors

  • Institute of Guidance Counsellors, The Basement, 17 Herbert St., Dublin 2, Ireland.
  • 01 6761975
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here