Parliamentary Reporter (Bilingual – Irish and English)

Role and Responsibilities

Parliamentary Reporters work in the Debates Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas which is responsible for producing the Official Report of the proceedings of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and the various Oireachtas committees. The work involves attendance in the Chambers of both Houses and committee rooms, logging proceedings and producing the report from the digital audio sound recording on the in-house bespoke debates authoring system using direct inputting and technologies such as voice recognition software. Ancillary tasks include the collation and production of replies to written parliamentary questions, revision/proofing of copy, indexing and other project-related work.

The Debates Office is a dynamic environment with a dedicated, highly qualified and motivated staff who take immense pride in their work. Staff participate in a number of international professional networks across parliaments and legislatures, including the British Irish Parliamentary Reporting Association, which is dedicated to attaining and maintaining the highest standards of parliamentary reporting.

The position requires an ability to work effectively under pressure to meet agreed deadlines in submitting copy to the Editor of Debates for publication on the Oireachtas website in HTML, XML, and PDF formats.

During the parliamentary session, Parliamentary Reporters typically work late into the evening on certain rosters.

Candidates should be aware late working is an essential element of the job during Parliamentary Sittings.

The key responsibilities of the Parliamentary Reporter are as follows:

• Reporting proceedings of Parliament for publication.

• Attendance in the Chambers of both Houses and committee rooms.

• Logging proceedings and producing the Official Report from the digital audio sound recording using direct inputting and voice recognition software on an in-house bespoke debates authoring system.

• Ancillary tasks include the collation and production of replies to written parliamentary questions, revision/proofing of copy, indexing, and other project-related work.

• Knowledge gathering and information sharing with other offices and staff throughout the Service.

• Trialling of new technologies as required to enhance reporting and the production of the Official Report.

• Participation in cross sectional and external fora as required.

• Any other duties assigned by the editorial team.

Please note: This list is not exhaustive but serves to reflect the type of duties included in the role. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may be assigned by the Service as required. This role is subject to change in line with the business requirements or political reforms of the Service, as is the case with any other civil service position in the organisation.

The principal reporting relationship is with the Editor of Debates. The Parliamentary Reporter will also work closely with other Parliamentary Reporters, Editors and Administrative Staff. The work of a Parliamentary Reporter at times requires contact with Deputies, Senators and other Oireachtas or departmental staff.

Panel

A Parliamentary Reporter (English) panel may be formed from this competition from which future permanent, part-time and temporary positions, should they arise, may be filled by candidates who successfully meet the requirements of the role.

A Bilingual (Irish and English) Parliamentary Reporter panel may also be formed for candidates who can demonstrate excellent reporting/editorial skills in both Irish and English.

Candidates may apply to be on an English only panel, a bilingual (Irish & English) panel, or both.

Essential Qualifications

Eligible candidates must, by the closing date for applications, have:

An educational qualification of minimum Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or international equivalent in a relevant subject.

Essential Work Experience

Eligible candidates must, by the closing date for applications, have:

Academic or employment experience of value to the post which should ideally involve published work, production of reports, theses and so on.

Essential Competencies

Candidates must have and be able to demonstrate the six key competencies identified for effective performance at the role’s level:

Parliamentary Reporter / Administrative Officer Level

Leadership Potential

• Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change

• Contributes to the development of policies in own area and the broader Department/Organisation

• Seeks to understand the implications of taking a particular position on issues and how interdependencies need to be addressed in a logical and consistent way

• Maximises the contribution of the team, encouraging ownership, providing support and working effectively with others

• Formulates a perspective on issues considered important and actively contributes across a range of settings

Analysis and Decision Making

• Is skilled in policy analysis and development, challenging the established wisdom and adopting an open-minded approach

• Quickly gets up to speed in a complex situation, rapidly absorbing all relevant information/data (written and oral)

• Uses numerical data skilfully to understand and evaluate business issues

• Identifies key themes and patterns in and across different sources of information, drawing sound and balanced conclusions

• Sees the logical implications of taking a particular position on an issue

• Is resourceful and creative, generating original approaches when solving problems and making decisions

Delivery of Results

• Assumes personal responsibility for and delivers on agreed objectives/goals

• Manages and progresses multiple projects and work activities successfully

• Accurately estimates time parameters for projects and manages own time efficiently, anticipating obstacles and making contingencies for overcoming these

• Maintains a strong focus on meeting the needs of customers at all times

• Ensures all outputs are delivered to a high standard and in an efficient manner

• Uses resources effectively, at all times challenging processes to improve efficiencies

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Communicates in a fluent, logical, clear and convincing manner verbally and in writing

• Is able to listen effectively and develop a two-way dialogue quickly

• Maintains a strong focus on meeting the needs of internal and external customers

• Effectively influences others to take action

• Works to establish mutual understanding to allow for collaborative working

• Works effectively

Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values

• Consistently strives to perform at a high level

• Maintains consistent effort under pressure and is resilient to criticism or setbacks at work

• Demonstrates high levels of initiative, taking ownership for projects and demonstrating self sufficiency

• Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon

• Places the citizen at the heart of all process and systems

• Upholds the highest standards of honesty, ethics and integrity

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

• Clearly understands the role, objectives and targets and how they fit into the work of the unit and Department/Organisation

• Develops the expertise necessary to carry out the role to a high standard and shares this with others

• Is proactive in keeping up to date on issues and key developments that may impact on own area, the Department and/or wider public service

• Consistently reviews own performance and sets self challenging goals and targets

• Has significant expertise in his/her field that is recognised and utilised by colleagues

Essential Requirements

Candidates must possess and be able to demonstrate:

An excellent knowledge of the English language and excellent reporting/editorial skills.*

An excellent knowledge of the Irish language and excellent reporting/editorial skills, if applying for the bilingual (Irish & English) panel*

An excellent knowledge of current affairs, national and international.

An excellent knowledge of contemporary Irish politics.

Working knowledge of modern Irish history.

Proficiency in ICT, particularly in the use of Microsoft Office applications.

The requisite knowledge and skills to fulfil the duties assigned, including the ability to manage and deliver results, drive and commitment, interpersonal communications, team working and strong information technology/keyboard skills.

*All eligible candidates will be required to undergo a written assessment of their editorial skills and those who apply for the bilingual (Irish & English) panel will also complete a similar assessment in Irish.

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of parliamentary procedures.

• Excellent keyboard and/or touch-typing skills

Eligibility to Compete and Certain Restrictions on Eligibility

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

A candidate for, and any person holding the office, must be of good character.

Citizenship Requirement

Eligible candidates must be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d) A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 4 permission* or stamp 5 permission;

*Please note that a 50 TEU permission, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

To qualify candidates must meet one of the citizenship criteria above by the date of any job offer.

Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

The Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) letter dated 28th June 2012 to Personnel Officers introduced, with effect from 1st June 2012, a Collective Agreement which had been reached between the DPENDR and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU in relation to ex-gratia Redundancy Payments to Public Servants. It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the Public Service by any Public Service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011) for a period of 2 years from termination of the employment. People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility).

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are not eligible to apply for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

Career Breaks

Subject to satisfying the eligibility requirements, the competition is open to staff who are on a career break, provided their career break conforms to the provisions of the Department of Finance Circular (4/13), or on secondment arrangements. Staff who are on career break under the Incentivised Career Break Scheme 2009 are not eligible to apply.

Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010)

The Department of Health Circular 7/2010 dated 1 November 2010 introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Schemes (VRS). It is a condition of the VER scheme that persons availing of the scheme will not be eligible for re-employment in the public health sector or in the wider Public Service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public moneys. The same prohibition on re-employment applies under the VRS, except that the prohibition is for a period of 7 years. People who availed of the VER scheme are not eligible to compete in this competition. People who availed of the VRS scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility).

Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013)

The Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013 introduced a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for Local Authorities. In accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012 as detailed above, it is a specific condition of that VER Scheme that persons will not be eligible for re-employment in any Public Service body [as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012] for a period of 2 years from their date of departure under this Scheme. These conditions also apply in the case of engagement/employment on a contract for service basis (either as a contractor or as an employee of a contractor).

Declaration

Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a Public Service scheme of incentivised early retirement. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

Principal Conditions of Service

General

The appointment is to a permanent post in the Civil Service and is subject to the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 2005, the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Civil Service.

Salary

The Parliamentary Transcriber PPC salary scale for the position is as follows (rates effective from 1 August 2025):

1 €45,034

2 €48,125

3 €49,412

4 €51,705

5 €54,068

6 €56,818

7 €59,605

8 €62,415

9 €65,230

10 €68,036

11 €70,844

12 €73,676

NMAX 13 €76,176

LSI1 14 €78,671

LSI2

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC)

The PPC pay rate applies when the individual is required to pay a Personal Pension Contribution (otherwise known as a main scheme contribution) in accordance with the rules of their main/personal superannuation scheme. This is different to a contribution in respect of membership of a Spouses’ and Children’s scheme, or the Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC).

A different rate will apply where the appointee is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution.

Long service increments may be payable after 3 (LSI1) and 6 (LSI2) years satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale.

Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy. Different terms and conditions may apply, if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is already a serving Civil Servant or Public Servant.

Subject to satisfactory performance increments may be payable in line with current Government Policy.

Statutory deductions from salary will be made as appropriate by the Service.

You will agree that any overpayment of salary, allowances, or expenses will be repaid by you in accordance with Circular 07/2018: Recovery of Salary, Allowances, and Expenses Overpayments made to Staff Members/Former Staff Members/Pensioners.

Tenure and Probation

The appointment is to a permanent position on a probationary contract in the Civil Service.

The probationary contract will be for a period of one year from the date specified on the contract.

During the period of your probationary contract, your performance will be subject to review by your supervisor(s) to determine whether you:

(i) have performed in a satisfactory manner,

(ii) have been satisfactory in general conduct, and

(iii) are suitable from the point of view of health with particular regard to sick leave.

Prior to the completion of the probationary contract a decision will be made as to whether or not you will be retained pursuant to section 5A (2) of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 as amended. This decision will be based on your performance assessed against the criteria set out in (i) to (iii) above. The detail of the probationary process will be explained to you by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service and you will be given a copy of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform’s guidelines on probation.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs in this section, the probationary contract may be terminated at any time prior to the expiry of the term of the contract by either side in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 2005.

In the following circumstances your contract may be extended and your probation period suspended.

• The probationary period stands suspended when an employee is absent due to Maternity or Adoptive Leave.

• In relation to an employee absent on Parental Leave or Carers Leave, the employer may require probation to be suspended if the absence is not considered to be consistent with the continuation of the probation, and

• Any other statutory provision providing that probation shall –

(i) stand suspended during an employee’s absence from work, and

(ii) be completed by the employee on the employee’s return from work after such absence.

Where probation is suspended the employer should notify the employee of the circumstances relating to the suspension.

All appointees will serve a one-year probationary period. If an appointee who fails to satisfy the conditions of probation has been a serving civil servant immediately prior to their appointment from this competition, the issue of reversion will normally arise. In the event of reversion, an officer will return to a vacancy in their former grade in their former Department.

Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015

The Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977–2015 will not apply to the termination of this employment by reason only of the expiry of this probationary contract without it being renewed.

Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

The terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 will, where appropriate, apply to this appointment.

Headquarters

Headquarters will be such as may be designated from time to time by the Service. When required to travel on official duty the appointee will be paid appropriate travelling expenses and subsistence allowances, subject to normal civil service regulations. The Houses of the Oireachtas Service and its environs are currently based around Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be as fixed from time to time under section 23 of the Staff of the Houses of The Oireachtas Act, 1959. At present they amount to 41 hours and 15 minutes gross (35 net hours) per week. Flexibility is required with regard to late-night working and extra attendance, which is required from time to time arising from the exigencies of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service.