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Need additional income? Work on Odesk

Just recently I have joined Odesk. It's online marketplace for job seekers and job providers. The On Demand Global Workforce - oDesk

Are you looking for extra income? Have you lost a job? Looking a for a new way to earn money for yourself and your family? Are you a writer, web designer, sales person? You can be somebody's personal virtual assistant, why not? Odesk is the way to go. Register and complete your profile to gain access to thousands of online jobs. No fees. No commitment. Free online certifications. Hundreds of new jobs every day. Guaranteed payment for your hourly work.

It's an online marketplace for people who are involved in:

• Web Development
• Writing & Translation
• Customer Service
• Software Development
• Administrative Support
• Sales & Marketing
• Design & Multimedia
• Web Development
• Software Development
• Networking & Information Systems
• Business Services

As well if you own business, you can hire accountant, bookeper, sales person, web designer from Odesk as well.

What kind of work is done here? Pretty much anything that can be done remotely — we're often surprised by the ever-increasing variety of work performed on oDesk. You can hire talented web and software developers, writers, graphic designer, customer service representatives, marketers and much more. You can see the full list here. Drop a relevant keyword into the provider search bar and you might be surprised how many people worldwide are offering the services you need.

Do you need help? Hire me at Odesk. I'm specialising in web promotion, social media and bookmarking.

Dole is 196 € in 2010

In case you are wondering why dole payment is only 196 € ... Weekly Jobseeker's Benefit payment in 2010 is 196 €. Did you miss a budget news? Yes it is down... For more info go to: http://www.welfare.ie

Irish Budget 2010

Here are the links for Irish Budget 2010. So what we have here??? Children of Ireland are ripped by child benefit cut (16 € is a big money for a family), youth got their social welfare cut as well, VAT reduced by 0.5% (what? I'm still going up the north)....and so on and so on! Ireland has no future. No more green pastures. It will become more depressing and more depressing! I have no words!

Budget Main Points
Budget Speech Video
Official Government Page

Cafe in Finglas

NO COMMENT
SOMETHING FOR LAUGH

Do you believe State pensions and unemployment benefits should be cut, as as proposed by 'An Bord Snip Nua'?

Do you believe State pensions and unemployment benefits should be cut, as as proposed by 'An Bord Snip Nua'?
Do you think or you know that you and your family will be affected by those cuts. then participate in Irish Times Poll. Click here

Irish Jobs: June Live Register +2.8%/Mo To 413,500

Irish Jobs: June Live Register +2.8%/Mo To 413,500

DUBLIN (Dow Jones)--Irish unemployment grew at a slightly slower pace in June, to a total of 413,500, as the live register for benefit payments rose again, bringing unemployment in the country to 11.9% in June.

With the rapid slowdown in the construction industry, the number of people signing on to the live register on an unadjusted basis rose 2.8% on the month to 413,500 in June, the central statistics office said.

Unemployment amongst immigrants from eastern Europe is now at 20%, double the rate for Irish nationals, and for every eastern European worker who has joined the dole queue over the last 12 months, almost two have emigrated.

"It is encouraging to note that the pace of decline in the live register has moderated in each of the last six months from a high of over 33,000 in January," said NCB Stockbrokers chief economist Brian Devine.

"Once again this is further evidence that the worst of the declines are behind us but that with such a sharp rise in unemployment and taxes the recovery in Ireland is going to lag someway behind the global recovery," he added.

The live register includes part-time workers and casual workers entitled to unemployment assistance or benefits. Official unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey.

-By Quentin Fottrell, Dow Jones Newswires; +353-1-676-2189; quentin.fottrell@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
Source: Click here

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FAQ about dole payments and collection

• How to sign for dole? Where to sign on for dole? Go to your local social welfare office. To find your local office click here. Read signing on guide here.
  

• What are the current payments for JB/JA? Personal rate at the moment is € 204.30

• Which documents needed for the dole? Your PPS Number, payslips, P60, P45, letter of redundancy, proof of address, proof of identity
  

• How and when to collect dole from post office? You should receive a letter stating your collection day and post office name.

• How many days do I have to collect the dole from post office? Usually it's 3 days. Confirm this with your post office clerk.

• How long is waiting time for dole? The waiting time is different for every office. I heard that it's much quicker than 3-4 months ago. Read my blog post about waiting times in Ireland.

• What to bring to post office to collect dole? What if I don't have a swipe card for dole? You will need to bring your swipe card (social services card) or a temporary signing card (yellow), which you can get in your social welfare centre.

• What do I need to bring when signing for the dole? Your PPS Card (swipe card).If it's your first time bring proof of identity and grab a letter you received in the post.

• What if I missed a weekly dole collection? It might be still in the post office. Go to post office and check.If not immediately go to social welfare centre. It will be reissued to you and might take longer.
  

• What is the phone number for Social Welfare Office? 1890 66 22 44 (Lo Call) (from within the Republic of Ireland) 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday To Friday

• What is the website for Social Welfare? Go straight to www.welfare.ie

• If you have any problem email to info@welfare.ie

Hope you found this information about dole helpful.
Please remember that I'm not representing Social Welfare.

Pregnancy and Job Seekers Benefit

All ladies who are pregnant (even those who are heavily pregnant) are entitled to Job Seekers benefit (dole).

"Pregnancy is not an illness and in the absence of any complications of pregnancy or other illness, a pregnant woman (who may not be entitled to Maternity Benefit) satisfies the condition of being capable of work for the purpose of Jobseeker's Benefit throughout her pregnancy and in the period following the birth. She will also satisfy the availability condition unless there are other factors which could call her general availability for work into question. She must, however, continue to look for work throughout her pregnancy and in the period after the birth of her child in order to satisfy the condition of genuinely seeking work. On an administrative basis a woman will not normally be requested to prove that she is genuinely seeking work in the 4 weeks immediately before the expected date of birth of her child or in the 8 week period following the birth. She will not be required to attend at the Local Office for signing purpose during this period provided she tells the Local Office of her pregnancy."

Job vacancies are increasing

Today I read in the Metro that Premier recruitment group noticed a rise in job vacancies amount. Good news for job seekers! Let's hope it will be improving steadily!

Irish recession: Debate on whether immigrants should go home or not

Irish recession. Immigrants are blamed for stealing jobs from Irish people. Is it their fault? Look at the debate on whether immigrants should go home or not provided by RTE player - www.rte.ie/player/#v=1048194 Video kindly provided by RTE.

Fair and balanced, non-biased and impartial debate on immigration. The state
broadcaster at its very best. By E1RE

Few other articles available online:
Immigrants must go home
Should the 'Immigrants' leave?
No jobs in Ireland for immigrants

Small chance you will get a job in irish recession if you are a foreigner

You have a very small chance to get a job in Irish recession if you are a foreigner. I knew that! No need for this news. It's a fact.

Today Metro and Independent (Racism rife as Irish twice as likely to be given job) published very identical news about racism towards foreign people in Ireland.

The study showed:

• Irish applicants were called to interview 78 times while minority candidates were invited 38 times, giving a ratio of 2.05 -- Irish people were twice as likely to be called back.
• In the case of Irish versus African applicants only, the study found 18 Irish applicants were called back compared to just five applicants with African sounding names.
• When it came to Asian names, just seven were called back compared with 19 applicants with Irish names.
• Eighteen Irish names got a call back compared to three with German sounding names. From Independent
  

My very good friend with very unusual surname told me this fact few months ago. She lost job. Before the recession she would get many phone calls from recruitment agencies offering her various jobs. Now it's quiet. There is a tendency in the job market .... is to give jobs to relatives and acquaintances (even without proper degree or experience).

Many people want foreign people to leave, go away! When it was good times - we needed extra force. Now - go away! Ok but there is another question... If they leave and many of them left already...What is going to happen to property market??? Empty houses and apartments and poor landlords unable to pay off ridiculous mortgages.... Less children in creches/ school more people fired....

What is your opinion?

Shopping in Northern Ireland and saving well-earned money

So finally I went to do shopping to Northern Ireland and I'm very happy with that. We saved around staggering 188 Euros. Unbelievable!

1. B&Q garden shed - €357 instead of € 445 from B&Q Ireland/€ 50o from Argos
2. Hoover - € 89 instead of € 112 from Argos Ireland
3. Lawnmower - €57 instead of € 87 from Argos Ireland
4. Food from Asda Kilkeel - €62 euro - I would pay €100 for all this things in Ireland

There were few more things and definitely cheaper. Even paying for petrol we still saved around 188 Euro. Not bad for a day trip plus great savings.

I personally suggest to everyone to do the same thing - shop in Northern Ireland. Is it ethical? There is no answer to that? Should I shop in a rip-off land with terrible customer service???

Our goverment should reduce the VAT and then people will be buying and spending money here...

Unbelievable! Mortgage relief to be cut

Unbelievable! Everyday we are getting news about something cut or increased by government. We had increased levy, they cut early child benefit and now mortgage relief to be suspended for second-time buyers.
According to the Revenue, the move means mortgage interest relief will be suspended for 321,000 of the 562,000 people currently receiving the entitlement. Another blow to people's pockets!

Read news in details:

• 57,000 to lose mortgage interest relief
• Revenue clarification of the position regarding Mortgage Interest Relief

Irish Recession video 2009 - Would you like a job at Londis?

So do we need to bring photo ID to post office or not?

So! Do we need to bring photo ID to post office or not?

Everyone is asking this question. People are lost. In my previous post I wrote about new rule of bringing ID to post office when collecting dole. Read here. Nobody knows if you are already required to bring you ID to the post office.

Following quiries from Northside People Newspaper on behalf concerned locals, the socila welfare told that post office workers have been told to use their discretion with the new checks. From Northside People

I'd say there are many people in panic as some of them don't have a driving licence or passport. Some people would need to spend € 80 to get a passport if the new rule will be applied.

No one really knows what is happening! What is your opinion on this?

Hurry up if you are looking for the job! 280 Ikea jobs

IKEA open days will now take place on 18th and 19th April, from 10am to 5pm, at the Ballymun Civic Centre.

I heard that they are looking for 280 staff. Hurry up!

Come and meet the co-workers at IKEA Dublin who will chat about their work and about IKEA. For anyone interested in IKEA or considering a career with IKEA Dublin this is a great opportuniy to meet 'face to face' and informally to get a feel for working at IKEA.

Your CV is not required for this informal event. For more information telephone 018667030 or 018667040.

If you lost your job bring your P45 to tax office

If you lost your job, don't forget to bring your P45 to tax office.

Finally I got my P45 from my employer, so I brought it to tax office and they will give me some refund. Wasn't expecting it at all. Money in to the pocket are better than nothing! So hurry up! As well would like to mention that the service was so quick I could not believe it.

You will need photo ID when collecting dole and other social welfare bebefits

Long time ago I told my partner, social welfare cards should have a photo or at least have a passport with you to prove that you are the person on the card. This swipe card can be used by anyone without any photo on it. Anyone can defraud! Finally!

As the numbers claiming welfare increases significantly, the Department of Social and Family Affairs is introducing stricter identity checks in Post Offices throughout the country for people collecting Social Welfare payments. Minister Mary Hanafin T.D., today (6^th April 2009) said that tighter security checks were necessary as part of the crackdown on those claiming a jobseeker payment but not resident in the state.

"People legitimately collecting a social welfare payment should be able to produce valid photographic ID, such as a Driving Licence, Passport or National Identity card. Staff working in Post Offices have to be satisfied that they are giving the right payment to the right person" said the Minister.

Notices will be displayed in all post offices throughout the country in the coming weeks advising customers collecting social welfare payments such as Jobseekers, One Parent Family Payment, Back to Work or Child Benefit payments that they must be able to produce a valid ID to collect their payment. An Post staff must be satisfied that they are making the correct payment to the right person. All claimants should be able to produce valid photographic ID when collecting a payment.

To read more go to Social Welfare Press Page.

Update: Till now you don't need to bring photo ID to the post office but I guess it might change in few weeks. I will keep you updated.

Cooking in recession time

Cooking by numbers is very cool website I have discovered. We can save a big amount of money by not going out and not ordering takeaways. Recession in Ireland? How do you save money in recession time?

Don't bother going shopping, let's cook with what you have in your fridge and cupboard. Just click on what you have in the fridge and you will get a recipe... No need to think ...everything is decided for you! Yummy!