Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• 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.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

The Work

Ministers serve their religious community by teaching the faith, preparing and delivering sermons, leading acts of worship, and officiating at events such as weddings and funerals. They give spiritual guidance and comfort in times of distress and organise practical support, such as providing material comforts to those in need.

Ministers may arrange programmes for theological or biblical study groups, they may also organise community and social events for people of all ages in the congregation. They may also have financial and administrative duties. Many have a prominent role in the community that may involve them in a variety of projects.

They may contribute to newsletters, pamphlets, and articles for newspapers. They must also prepare and hold records as required by civil or church law.

They are required to set aside time for the preparation of sermons, addresses and prayers, and for their own spiritual and devotional life. Accommodation is usually provided for ministers. Depending on the denomination, candidates for ordination normally have to accept a ministry in a location chosen for them.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Pray and promote spirituality.
• Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
• Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
• Organise and lead regular religious services.
• Plan or lead religious education programs.
• Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
• Counsel individuals or groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.
• Administer religious rites or ordinances.
• Devise ways in which congregational membership can be expanded.
• Visit people in homes, hospitals, or prisons to provide them with comfort and support.

Further Information

• Clergy / Religious Ministers - from: YouTube [UK]
• Clergy / Religious Ministers - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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.

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.

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.

The minimum age for entry, depending upon denomination, is between 18 and 22. Generally all reached at least a pass in leaving cert.Six years in a seminary studying philosophy and theology, and also carrying out different pastoral works around the diocese gaining pastoral experience.

Training at colleges and seminaries can take two to six years, full- or part-time, depending on the requirements of the denomination in pathways to becoming a priest. For many, this will include a degree iin Theology or Divinity. There are undergraduate and postgraduate degrees available in Theology and Divinity in St. Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth.

Training & Development

FET PLC Courses: Social studies, Community work, Liberal Arts (Philosophy and Classical Studies), Arts - Pre-University, Pre-University Arts & Humanities at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO Entry: Philosophy, Theology & Arts, Arts & Humanities, History, Post Primary Teacher Education - Religious Education & History at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Theology, Theology - General Theology, Theology - Specialisation in Pastoral Theology, Intercultural Theology & Interreligious Studies, Pastoral Theology, Pastoral Theology - Healthcare Chaplaincy, Theology - Specialisation in the History of Christianity NFQ level 9

The content of courses leading to ordination vary. As well as religious studies, you could also study subjects such as philosophy, pastoral studies, sociology of religion, theological ethics, management and communication techniques.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €33k - €53k

Salaries vary based on employer (Faith order), location, experience, duties, and role. 

Data Source(s):
Dublin Diocese / HSE/ Payscale/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: August, 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).

Employment growth for this occupation was slightly below average, with employment declining slightly between 2021 and 2022. The share of non-Irish citizens at 29% is higher than the national average. A small number of new employment permits were issued in 2022 for social workers. Approximately 1,300 awards were made in 2021 at level 8 or higher in the broad social work field.

A report in 2022 by the Irish Association of Social Workers identified retention of social workers to be a key issue, particularly in areas of child protection and adult safeguarding. Despite issues with recruitment and retention of suitably qualified social workers remaining, the data does not currently point to a shortage.

• Communications Office, Archdioceses of Dublin

  • Archbishop's House, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
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• Church of Ireland

  • (01) 4978 422
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• St.Patrick's Pontifical University

  • Maynooth, Co. Kildare
  • (01) 708 4772
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here