Overqualified: Dan Boyle, former TD: ‘I’ve had it said a number of times that I’m too qualified’

A Green Party TD from 2002 to 2005, Dan Boyle was deputy leader in the Seanad from 2005-2011, and was the Greens' finance spokesman during their time in government. He served as a Cork City councillor from 1991 to 2002.

The author of Without Power Or Glory, a book on the party's coalition with Fianna Fáil, Boyle was also the driving force behind the Green Foundation think tank. In 2013, he embarked on an MBS in government at UCC, writing a thesis on small parties.

Seeking opportunities in the community and voluntary sector, he feels his 20 years in public life counts against him in seeking work.

“I try to look for work in which I think I can contribute something with the experience I have,” he says. “I came from that sector in the first place. And I’ve been looking for jobs bodies who try to foster some sort of social good.

“I’ve had it said to me for a number of jobs I’ve applied for, that I’m overqualified . . . They tend to go for the younger person, although I consider myself young at 52. My motivation is not financial, which is why I apply for jobs which pay less. I’m more looking for fulfilling work than anything else.

“It’s a type of indirect ageism, but the fact is, if your budget’s down, you may not feel obliged to pay a higher wage to an older person.”

Boyle continues to work voluntarily for public bodies in Cork, particularly the Firkin Crane Dance Board, Corcadorca Theatre Company and the Lavitt Gallery. “I do bits and pieces. I write the occasional article, I do some work in terms of web content. Recently I’ve been made a community representative on the Public Participation Network for Cork City Council. I like to keep occupied.”

He considered setting up an advocacy business, but considers it “hackneyed”. “I don’t know it if adds to the life of the nation. We seem to be living in an age of qualification inflation. Once the Leaving Cert was good enough, then it was an honours degree. Now it’s a masters. I was called for more job interviews after the masters than beforehand. But maybe, as a ‘generalist’ politician, it limits your options. They might go for people with particular expertise.”