Today I had an appointment with Intreo, a government department that “offers practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers” It’s a one stop shop to get you off welfare and back to work. I was concerned that there may be pressure put on me to get a job or go back to education but thankfully that wasn’t the case. There aren’t many jobs that would pay enough to cover childcare and expenses as well as ensure that someone else will do the voluntary work I do at the moment, even if it is less than I was doing two years ago.
When I was asked about training I enquired about the courses available. I’ve been giving this some thought over the past while because living on welfare can be pretty miserable and working voluntarily can be soul destroying at times no matter how fulfilling it is. Being surrounded by people being paid to engage with you who possibly aren’t as passionate about the topic as you, can be disheartening. Thankfully I’m not prone to too much negativity so it passes pretty quickly. Given my background in computers we discussed that there is a need for software developers but no courses in my area and an online course isn’t really an option for me. Besides what about the voluntary work?!?!
I proposed that if I were to do training for the career that I see myself heading towards I don’t think any course exists because there are no qualifications required. I’ve been asked to apply for this job on a few occasions now and each time I couldn’t. It’s also a position where women are really needed and the government supposedly supports their employment in. Lately though more people are suggesting it’s an option for me and I’m seriously considering it. So can you imagine the laugh we had when I asked about training to become a TD? Think about it. There are no qualifications needed. No standards to be reached. For the majority all you need to be is a great salesperson, capable of spoofing your way to a vote with a smile. I reckon a lot have never even written a submission to policy.
If I am to go this route I have major training needs because I’m too honest and I’m not a great salesperson, especially when it comes to selling myself. I also have epilepsy so some challenges other candidates don’t have in relation to observation and memory ability – I won’t remember everybody and their granny! However none of these shortcomings have stopped me being effective at policy shaping and change making to date. I get the job done even if I have to double check everyone’s name, a few times.
So running for election is something I am now considering because at this stage I am sick to death of waiting for the job to be done by people who live on 5 year plans. I’ve watched it from many sides, see that it’s a slow process, know that change is necessary and know that I have the experience, patience, perseverance and vision to do the job better than many in there. Imagine if I could get the right training. I’d be the first TD qualified to do the job 🙂 Time will tell.
Theresa O’Donohoe
17th January 2017
TheresaOD.com 
The best training is what you are doing now. Volunteering, campaigning, struggling to juggle different priorities as a single parent. But what you lack, unless you intend to join a political party, is the financial backing required to produce all those leaflets and posters. And, of course, you’d still have the problem of child care – although TD’s salary/expenses will go much further than than what you could reasonably expect to earn in the general work force – and, by the time of the next election your youngest will be a bit older!
Thanks Frank. I did join the Social Democrats a while ago but I am unsure about a branch in Clare. I also need to do more research on their policies but so far I like what I see. Catherine Murphy has posed questions in the Daily on my behalf before and having lived in Kildare I know how good she is. Time will tell 🙂 T 🙂