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Need more information? Our information hub guides you to more resources and contacts to continue your search.

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Research CAO courses, entry requirements, course content, etc.!

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CareersPortal is Ireland's leading Careers Guidance website . It is a one-stop-shop for people of all ages who need information and guidance regarding their next career decision.

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Try SETU events - register to try out areas like law, sports, engineering, science, culinary arts, etc.

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South East Technological University provides an innovative and dynamic learning environment, equipping students with the skills for success in a global…

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Find out how you can access Higher Education in Ireland A higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are underrepresented in higher education Find out more about HEAR More about HEAR A higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose disabilities have had a [...]

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SUSI is Ireland’s national awarding authority for further and higher education grants.

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Motor Industry - Careers, Apprenticeships & Competitions

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Motor Industry - Careers, Apprenticeships & Competitions

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Apprenticeships in the Irish Motor Industry

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Become a Guard! Applications open if 18!

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Become a Guard! Applications open if 18!

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Search courses, taught through English, across Europe!

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european universities information
study in europe
study abroad
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dutch university
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EUNiCAS is an independent European University application support service that facilitates UK and Irish students who are looking to study in Europe, on degree programmes taught through English

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Explore a wide range of Apprenticeships including areas such as Construction, Finance, IT, Food & Hospitality, Engineering, Motor Industry, Biopharma, Insurance, Sales & much more! 

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Explore a wide range of Apprenticeships including areas such as Construction, Finance, IT, Food & Hospitality, Engineering, Motor Industry, Biopharma, Insurance, Sales & much more! 

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A central route to skills development in Ireland.

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School leavers, older learners, career changers, women and men with diverse backgrounds talents and abilities.

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CareersPortal is Ireland’s leading Careers Guidance website. It is a one-stop-shop for people of all ages who need information and guidance regarding their next career decision.

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A central route to skills development in Ireland.

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School leavers, older learners, career changers, women and men with diverse backgrounds talents and abilities.

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Find out about the exciting and challenging career opportunities available at ESB.

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DEMO CAO Application - practice filling in the CAO application form!

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DEMO CAO Application - practice filling in the CAO application form!

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The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions.

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Find out about Careers working for the Government & Public Sector

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Find out about Careers working for the Government & Public Sector

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To help you choose the right path for you when the time comes, we've packed this page with information about the public sector. We've gathered all the most useful resources to help you kick-start your research into this vast career sector. The public sector is HUGE which can sometimes feel a little complicated to understand. To help you get started let's clarify a few things: It's complex, but fascinating; let's go.

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR?

Sectors are simply different categories of employment - the crucial difference is who pays the salaries, government or private company. Some careers and job types are exclusive to just the public sector or just the private sector, however there are many job opportunities that exist across both sectors.

WHAT IS THE PUBLIC SECTOR?

The public sector provide public services to Irish Citizens. This work touches all aspects of Irish life and so is very important work for the people of Ireland. There is a diverse range of career opportunities available, with the Government of Ireland employing over 300,000 people. The public sector is made up of:

THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND

which is currently made up of 18 departments including Education, Health, Housing, Transport, Environment, Justice and many more.

THE CIVIL SERVICE

support the government of the day to develop and implement its policies whilst being politically impartial.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

includes State agencies such as HSE, An Garda Síochána and RTÉ as well as Local Authorities which you might know better as your local City or County Council.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PUBLICJOBS.IE?

Publicjobs.ie is the website where Civil and Public Service job opportunities are advertised. It is one of the main access routes for people interested in a career in the Civil and Public Service. Job seekers can apply to career opportunities through publicjobs.ie as they arise. Publicjobs.ie also manage the recruitment process from application to testing, interview and job offer.

HOW IS THE PUBLIC SECTOR RELEVANT TO MY CAREER PATH?

1. Options for school leavers

The public sector, through Publicjobs.ie, offers administrative roles at various levels across all government departments, nationwide. For early school leavers who are aged 17 or over, entry to the civil service is typically at the Temporary Clerical Officer and Clerical Officer level. These roles involve providing administrative support within a government department and can vary depending on the employing organisation (e.g. Department of Transport, Department of Justice, etc.). The work of a temporary or permanent Clerical Officer typically involves general clerical work such as filing, dealing with emails, reception desk duties and involvement in a variety of project work. There is an emphasis on working as part of a team in delivering important public services, whilst utilising the latest technology to provide a quality public service to the people of Ireland.

2. Options for college graduates

Entry to the Civil Service for college graduates is typically at the Executive Officer and Administrative Officer levels. Graduate opportunities within the Civil and Public Service are designed to inspire, challenge and support the next generation of Civil and Public Service leaders. As a Graduate, you will have the opportunity to work on projects that will aid the social and economic development of Ireland. If you enjoy challenging work and are committed to the concept of public service, a graduate position could be the ideal role for you.

3. Training and Development to help you climb the career ladder

Depending on the role and department, you could expect to advance your skills in a wide range of different ways, and you could have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more - all to make sure you have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a fast-paced and results-oriented role in the Public Service.

THE MOST RELEVANT INFO

Now you know the basics, it's time to do some 'deep dive' research into the wider public sector. Have a look through our most relevant information to find out more about entry routes into a career in the public sector, as well as training and development. You can also check out our useful links section to investigate the full range of career opportunities available across the public sector.

Important Links and Downloads

Supporting Information Links

ARTICLE: Why you should consider a career
in the public sector

DONT MISS OUT

If a career in the public sector interests you, and you meet the eligibility criteria, register for job alerts on publicjobs.ie to hear about opportunities as they arise. Click here to register for job alerts

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

If you have further questions, or would like to provide feedback on the information provided please get in touch by dropping us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

STUDENT FAQs

1. Do I need a degree to get a job in the Public Sector?

There are a wide range of roles in the Public Sector that do not require a degree. For early school leavers, entry to the civil service is typically at the Temporary Clerical Officer and Clerical Officer level. These roles involve providing administrative support within a government department and can vary depending on the employing organisation (e.g., Department of Transport, Department of Justice, etc.)

The work of a temporary or permanent clerical officer typically involves general clerical work (e.g., filing, photocopying, answering/making telephone calls, dealing with emails, reception desk duties, etc.), working as part of a team in delivering important public services while supporting line managers and colleagues, working with the latest technology to record and advance services, communicating and providing a quality public service to the people of Ireland.

Other professional and technical roles such as an engineer, solicitor, ICT Specialist etc. will require a degree usually at level 8 but in some cases a level 6 is sufficient. It's important to check the Information Booklet that accompanies the job you have an interest in. You can start having a look at the current roles we have on offer using our Job Search feature!

4. Where can I find out more about the Government Departments?

5. Are there opportunities to progress through my career?

Yes, this is one of the best things about the public sector! There are always career progression opportunities, whether it's changing what area or department you work in or being promoted to a higher grade through upgrading your skills you will never be stuck in one place. Just like in the Private Sector there are different levels of experience and seniority attached to each role. The qualifications and experience you need for certain roles differs.

The civil service grades, from Clerical Officer to Secretary General, relate to seniority and pay scales as opposed to specific roles and duties. Almost all private sector roles exist in the civil service, your grade determines your level of seniority within the organisational structure from operational activities up to senior leadership.

6. I'm a TY student, do you do work experience?

We're delighted you're interested in doing work experience with us! We don't have a centralised scheme in place for transition year work experience; however, a lot of departments take on students from time to time. If you are interested, it'd be a good idea to contact a department near you that you'd like to gain experience in. Here is how you can contact a department you may be interested in gov.ie.

7. What kind of jobs do you have?

We have a huge variety of roles on offer for school leavers, Leaving Certificate holders and college graduates with different levels of experience and interests. We're sure you'll find something that's right for you! Check out our Information Hub to find out more information.

9. I've never done an interview, what's the process like?

It typically involves aptitude tests as well as virtual and/or face-to-face interviews. You can find out more about the finer details of our recruitment process here

11. Where can I find out more information on roles within the Public Sector?

You can find out more detailed information on roles we have on offer within the information booklet that accompanies each role in the Job Search function. Or alternatively check out our Careers Portal Profile.

12. What is the public sector?

When looking at career sectors, it is important to note that many careers are available in the Public Sector as well as in the Private Sector.

What is the difference between these two sectors you may ask?

Government-run organisations are part of what is known as the Public Sector. The public sector is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds, all working together to provide public services to the people of Ireland. We advise and assist in the running of Government Departments, Local Authorities (such as your local county council) and state agencies.

The private sector is the part of the economy that is run by individuals and companies for profit and is not state-controlled, while charities and other non-profit organisations are part of the voluntary sector.

Many careers and roles exist in more than one of these career sectors, which means that skills and experience from one sector can be utilised in the others.

14. Who is the Government of Ireland?

There are a wide variety of roles, types of jobs and important work that people employed in the Public Sector do. The Government of Ireland employs over 300,000 people to provide public services to Irish Citizens. These public services are split into three sections:

Government Departments which include Education, Health, Housing, Transport, Environment and Justice amongst others (see infographic).

State Agencies that provide services such as HSE, An Garda Síochána and RTÉ.

Local Authorities: You might know these better as your local City or County Council.

For more visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/help/departments

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To help you choose the right path for you when the time comes, we've packed this page with information about the public sector. We've gathered all the most useful resources to help you kick-start your research into this vast career sector. The public sector is HUGE which can sometimes feel a little complicated to understand.

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Search PLC Courses here! Register to make a free account, search & Apply for PLC courses here!

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Search PLC Courses here! Register to make a free account, search & Apply for PLC courses here!

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Careers in the Irish Defence Forces including the Army, Navy & Air Corps!

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Careers in the Irish Defence Forces including the Army, Navy & Air Corps!

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Defence Forces personnel lead a "Life less Ordinary". All aspects of military life are varied and for each member of the Force each day may bring a new challenge.

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CareersPortal is Ireland’s leading Careers Guidance website. It is a one-stop-shop for people of all ages who need information and guidance regarding their next career decision.

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South East Technological University provides an innovative and dynamic learning environment, equipping students with the skills for success in a global…

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This website has been created with Canva, but the content is User Content that is subject to our Terms of Use. If you see anything that breaches our acceptable use policy, please report it to our content review team.

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Explore the various types of health related careers in Ireland and different pathways into these careers!

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Career Pathways in the HSE - HSE Career Hub

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The HSE aims to create an exceptional employee experience that engages the talent and nurtures the leadership capability of all individuals and teams working together to deliver safer better healthcare. The HSE is the largest employer in the country, and it's vision is for a healthier Ireland with a high quality health service valued by all.

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Creative Careers | Animation produced by Screen Ireland, voiceover by Colin Farrell