Minister Helen McEntee announces 2019 EU Jobs campaign
Press release
28 January 2019Minister Helen McEntee announces 2019 EU Jobs campaign
- Campaign highlights job opportunities available for Irish people in EU Institutions
- Vitally Important for Irish people to take up work in EU institutions to enhance Ireland’s presence
- 29% of Irish Officials working in policy areas in the EU are aged 58 and over
Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee has announced the 2019 EU Jobs campaign to promote the opportunities that are available for Irish people who want to work in the EU institutions. At the moment there is a decreasing number of Irish people working in the EU institutions, this needs to be replenished, so that we avoid a demographic cliff-edge.
“Over the coming weeks I will be travelling around the country visiting a number of third level institutions to highlight the wide variety of job opportunities that are available in EU institutions. The type of jobs available include positions in policy areas, legal, translation, administrative and research services as well as a wide variety of internships.
“Do you want to work in an environment that’s fast paced, dealing with the pressing issues of our time, like Brexit or climate change? Would you like to be living in cosmopolitan cities and work as part of a multicultural work force? Then you should come along and learn more about working in the EU institutions.
“Last year, as part of the Future of Europe Campaign, my Department and I held a series of EU Jobs information seminars across the country. This year I will again visit 3rd level institutions to promote the opportunities that exist for Irish citizens within the EU Institutions.
“People who are interested in working in the EU should come along to these events to learn more these opportunities. You will hear from officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and testimonials from Irish people who have experience of working in the EU.
“The aim of this campaign is to increase the number of Irish people applying for these roles and increase our presence in the EU Institutions.
In recent years the numbers of Irish people working in EU institutions has been declining sharply because of the increasing number of retirements. We are taking numerous steps to address this issue, including this campaign; and also engaging with the EU Commission on the possibly development of actions that will improve Irish Citizens’ chances of success in obtaining these positions.”
ENDS
- Minister Helen McEntee will be visiting the following 3rd level institutions over the coming months –
- University College Cork – Tuesday, 29th January 2019
- Technological University Dublin – Wednesday, 13th February 2019
- NUI Maynooth – Wednesday, 6th March 2019
- University College Dublin (TBC) – Wednesday, 13th March 2019
- Trinity College Dublin – Wednesday, 20th March 2019 - Further information will be available from the Careers Services of the relevant institutions and at www.dfa.ie/EUJobs in due course.
- Ireland in the EU Commission
-In 2012 there were 503 Irish officials working in the EU Commission alone.
-This had declined to 401 by the end of 2016, with a projected decline to 294 by 2025.
- Since 2010, just 18 Irish officials have been recruited across all policy posts.
- 29% of all Irish officials working in policy areas are 58 years old or older.
