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 As part of the controversial JobBridge Internship Scheme, jobs are now being offered to unqualified interns to take up employment in the Thurles Garda Central Vetting Unit, which deals with highly sensitive and confidential information. The jobs, (No Experience Required) entitled ‘General Office Administrator‘ will involve the use of internal Garda IT systems.
The 16 positions being advertised will earn each successful applicants approximately €50 a week more than they currently obtain through their current social welfare payments and applicants are required to have a high level of competency and proficiency in computer and keyboard skills, as well as proficiency in interpersonal and communication skills.
According to the advert posted on September 27th, the person recruited will also be assigned a ‘Mentor,’ to monitor their progress over a nine-month period of employment. These new recruited staff will be indirectly responsible for determining whether certain prospective employees are suitable to be allowed to work with children or other vulnerable people.
The advert on JobBridge emphasises the discreet nature of the job, requesting that the employee must: “Have a high level of personal responsibility and integrity and the ability to observe confidentiality in respect of the work conducted at the Garda Central Vetting Unit.”
This initiative has been criticised by members of the Gardaí, who state that it does not seem appropriate that such personnel would have people literally coming off the dole temporarily into what has to rank as a most sensitive area of activity, with access to the PULSE garda system (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively) to undertake routine background checks on members of the public.
The JobBridge Scheme has come in for much criticism since its launch in July, with a number of the country’s most profitable companies using it to fill vacancies, thus raising concerns that employees were simply being laid off and replaced with cheaper State subsidised staff.
Recently Aer Lingus was forced to dismiss concerns when it sought an “Air Safety Assistant” under this internship scheme, following concerns that the candidate would be used to oversee safety management. Tesco Supermarket were also forced to defend itself, having advertised for six interns to fill shelves according to its merchandising plans and to ensure that customers do not have to queue.
This recruitment comes at a time when only 400 of a recommended 1,000 redundancies sought in the Gardaí and required by the IMF, have been achieved.
A larger than expected gathering, representative of all aspects of Thurles community life, turned out to the meeting, called by Thurles Chamber for this evening in Hayes Hotel.
Thurles Chamber, had called the meeting with a view to deciding what direction their submission should take, with reference to Tipperary’s Planning Section decision on the development of a further proposed shopping centre at the old Erin Foods site at Slievenamon Road, Thurles.
 Thurles Chamber Meeting Very quickly it became evident, from the mood of those gathered, that such a proposed venture was not welcome in the town in the foreseeable future.
Speakers from the floor, referred mainly to advice, commissioned and contained, in the Thurles and Environs Development Plan 2009-2015, regarding future Commercial and Retail Development.
While it was pointed out that the location of new retail or indeed other proposed development, is crucial to the long-term vitality of Thurles, proposals for any new retail development, that is located outside the central town area, must be assessed against the following criteria:-
(a) Does it undermine or have an adverse impact on the quality of the town centre?
(b) Does it diminish the future range of shops in the town centre?
(c) Does it link effectively with the commercial life currently existing in Thurles town centre?
It was unanimously agreed that any such decision must also take into account all potential social costs and benefits, not only the most obvious ones, which are easily measured in economic terms, but also be careful not to impose disproportional costs elsewhere, when pursuing a single objective of this magnitude. The cannibalization of existing jobs from within the town centre, was considered to be a cause for major concern in this instance.
As stated, the location of new retail development is crucial to the long term vitality, life and viability of Thurles Town and the preferred location for new retail development, where practicable and viable, should always be in the town centre.
The meeting called on the Tipperary Planning Authority, in future, to only permit development in the outer areas of Thurles, that would enhance rather than detract from the town centre, as indeed recommended in the Thurles Environmental Development Plan for 2009-2015.
Speakers strongly voiced the opinion that town centre development should be the future policy of those involved with local planning, to strengthen the town centre function of Thurles as a viable commercial, cultural and living centre, in accordance with the County Retail Strategy 2003 and the Retail Planning guidelines for Planning Authorities and the Town Centre Strategy.
A submission to this effect will now be forwarded to the Planning Authority, by Thurles Chamber in the next few days, strongly conveying the wishes of those assembled, at this evenings meeting.
 Mr Mark Fielding CEO ISME Thurles born Mr Mark Fielding CEO of Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association Ltd (ISME) the Independent Business Organisation, has just announced details of this years ISME Annual Conference and Exhibition for 2011, which will take place in the Concert Hall, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on Friday, November 11th next.
This years Conference entitled “It’s Up To Business,” is aimed at encouraging Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses, with over 30 business exhibitors in attendance.
Matt Cooper (Latter awarded Business Journalist of the Year in 1992 and 1999 and also National Journalist of the Year in 1993 and 2001.) will Chair what promises to be a lively occasion, with contributions from many excellent speakers, including John Perry, T.D., Minister for Small Business, H.E. Julian King, the British Ambassador to Ireland, Brody Sweeney, Entrepreneur, Michael Carey, Jacob Fruitfield Food Group, Vincent Campbell, National Procurement Service, former Minister Mary O’Rourke, Martin Shanahan, Forfas, Paul Sommerville, Market Analyst and Prof. Brian Lucey, Trinity College Dublin.
This Conference will allow those attending to:- (A) Avail of the expertise and advice of the Exhibitors and Speakers; (B) Network and Promote your Business; (C) Share Ideas and meet some old and new friends.
If you would like to be present at this event, click here for further information.
 Thurles Chamber, today, issued notice of an informal night, open to the general public, with a view to deciding what direction Thurles Chamber’s submission should take, with reference to Tipperary’s Planning Section decision on the development of a proposed shopping unit at the old Erin Foods site at Slievenamon Road, here in Thurles.
Due to the magnitude of this proposed development, Thurles Chamber would like businesses and the public, to attend a planned meeting beginning at 7.30pm sharp, in the Hayes Hotel, on Monday October 3rd next, to openly discuss your personal stance on this development.
In their notice issued today, Thurles Chamber state:-
“Thurles Chamber has received a high volume of queries in relation to the new proposed development at the old Erin Foods site. Many of our members are looking for clarification on what is happening at the site and what impact the development would have on the town as a whole.
The Chamber is putting the final touches to it’s submission, which is due by Wednesday the 6th October. We are however very anxious to get feedback from the businesses and general public of Thurles town.
We are hosting an open night this Monday in Hayes Hotel at 7:30pm, this will be YOUR chance to have YOUR say in what direction our submission will take.
We will also forward an invite to all of the Town Councillors to attend. We hope as many as possible can attend, as this will have a major impact on the town’s future.“
So if you would like to be part of this public consultation process, please take careful note:-
Date: Monday, October 3rd. Venue: Hayes Hotel, Liberty Square, Thurles. Meeting Time: 7.30pm sharp.
The European Commission’s second quarterly report today, states that Ireland has made “Important progress” on it’s public finances, banks and economic reform measures. Small businesses and the unemployed here in Thurles might not agree and possibly look to the future in a slightly poorer light. Those who now own this country, namely the EU and IMF, lowered the Irish unemployment rate forecast for this year slightly, from 14.5% to 14.3%, but warned that the rising figures for long term unemployment needed “Considerable attention“.
On Thursday, President Barack Obama talked the American Congress and the American nation through his “American Jobs Act,” a plan to create jobs in America now. It will of course be up to Congress to act on his set of bipartisan ideas, that claim will put people back to work and put more money into the pockets of working Americans, thus hiking consumer spending.
Here are a few important points about how the American Jobs Act plan will work, which is worthy of scrutiny by our own present Irish Coalition Government.
Firstly, it provides a tax cut for small businesses, not big corporations, to help them hire and expand and provides for an additional tax cut to any business that increases its pay roll. Yes it would require the managers of small businesses here in Ireland, to take a small leap of faith, but this leap could be encouraged if the tax cut itself was a real incentive. Keep in mind that our population stands at 4.58 million, our Retail Sales Index decreased 0.6% (July 2011 compared to July 2010) and our Standardised Unemployment Rate is 14.4% (August 2011) as per CSO Ireland. The last time unemployment reached near the current highs was in 1994.
 Irelands Unemployment Rate Ireland’s unemployment rate now exceeds the average rate prevalent in the European Union. The unemployment crisis is a function of the collapse mainly of the construction sector and related sectors associated with the so called housing bubble. Presently the lack of access to credit in our economy and the fiscal consolidation measures enacted by Fianna Fail, leave us somewhat stagnant.
A factor often proposed as a contributory factor in our unemployment crisis is the cost of Irish labour, but the sums do not add up. Irish labour costs in the wholesale/retail sector are 10.9 per cent lower than the EU average.
Labour costs in the EU rose by 1.3 per cent in the hospitality sector between 2008 and 2010 and by 4.9 per cent in the wholesale/retail sector over this same period. By contrast, note labour costs in Ireland declined in the hospitality sector and were just 1.3 per cent in the wholesale/retail sector.
Secondly, this proposed Act should put people back to work, including teachers, first time employees and construction workers who will begin repairing their crumbling bridges, damaged roads and public schools, with projects chosen by relative need, and not by ‘cute hoor,’ vote catching politics, the likes of which have existed, and I regret to relate, continues to thrive here in Ireland. Construction remains a drag on Irish employment, with the sector accounting for more than 40% of jobs lost in the year, to the fourth quarter of 2010.
I claim to be no economist, but the American Jobs Act rings of fair logic and if they have their figures right and support is forthcoming, it will be fully paid for by asking the wealthiest in their midst to begin to pay their just and fair share.
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