In January 'The Irish Times' asked five people to keep a record of their year in recession-era Ireland. Six months on, CARL O'BRIENcatches up with their mixed fortunes
NIALL McALLISTER (44)
Former managing director
It’s tough being unemployed and middle-aged. I was 44 this week. You do a job interview and you’re treated like you’re a graduate with no experience and no skills. Lots of jobs advertised don’t have any salaries. People are being exploited left, right and centre.
I was in my third interview for a job recently, and I asked about the salary. After three interviews I figured it was appropriate. But I was told there wasn’t one. There was just commission. They forget that you need to pay for your basics, such as food and electricity bills.
I worked it out: it would have cost me €68 a week to travel from Wicklow to this company, and that’s before I’d have earned a cent. I just can’t afford that.
I’m on the jobseeker’s allowance, which is €196. Once you pay your travel, food and other basics, it’s all gone. I find I’ve run out of money after four or five days.
I’m not sitting in a park, drinking beer – I’m out there, printing off CVs, looking for work, trying my best.
Lots of people I meet at the social-welfare office have similar stories. They’re being taken advantage of by companies because of the downturn.
Lots of so-called jobs advertised on recruitment websites aren’t real. You can spot them. They’ll often say: “Calling all candidates.” But they don’t exist. It’s just about building up a database. I worked in recruitment for 15 years – I know what’s real and what’s not.
I’m just looking for a good, honest employer who has a proper job to offer. I think I’m well qualified: I have skills in marketing, HR, accountancy, management. If there was a company out there in the Wicklow or Dublin-city-centre area with a real, tangible offer, I’d give it my all.
We haven’t seen anger on the streets yet, but with the way things are going, I think it’s coming. The Government is pumping billions into the banks and keeping developers afloat.
Why aren’t they putting this money into creating jobs? The people aren’t stupid. We live in a muppet state, as I see it.
Ashling O’Regan (22)
Social care worker
I’ve been in a permanent job since last January. It’s great: it’s challenging and enjoyable. I know I’m very fortunate to be working in a job I’m qualified for.
In this sector things seem to be getting better, from what I can tell. There are more jobs – not necessarily full-time, but jobs nonetheless. A large proportion of my class are now working in the social-care field. There have been some Government incentives and recruitment drives, so that’s made a big difference.
I’m working in a residential centre for young people. You see another side of the world, young people from difficult backgrounds who are incredibly resilient. You’d be in awe of how they persevere and come out on top.
Sometimes the smallest, normal things make a big difference. We had dinner the other day with some of the young people, and it was great: it was fun and enjoyable.
It can be tough as well, but you have to look after yourself. You hear a lot about burn-out among young staff.
Outside work my lifestyle hasn’t changed that much. I did go on holidays to Gran Canaria with my boyfriend, which was lovely. Mostly, I’m trying to save money.
I might go back to college and do a master’s, so you need money for that. Buying a house is another option, although that won’t happen this year or next. You feel very adult all of a sudden after you leave college.
I know I’m lucky. Lots of people I know are on the dole or have moved abroad. My brother’s in college and went to US on a
J1 visa – he’s coming home because there’s no work there. He’s not alone, either.
Most socialising these days among my friends is in people’s homes. They don’t have the money. I’m not a huge fan of going into town, so I don’t mind at all. I love hanging out with friends and catching up.
ANN ELIZABETH GUAN (53)
Care assistant
Things are looking up for me. Last time I was really worried. I didn’t have a job for almost six months, and my work permit was about to expire. I was wondering how would I support my family at home in the Philippines. I had used up almost all my savings.
Now I am working with a woman who needs care during the day. Her family asked me to care for her. She is in her 80s and has poor mobility, but she is very bright and alert. I help with personal care and housework such as cleaning and ironing. I bring her out for fresh air as well.
Most of my friends over here are from the Philippines. They are also supporting their families at home. They work in different types of caring: nursing homes, childcare, that kind of thing. It’s more common for them to have negative experiences, I find. You need trust with an employer – it’s very important.
I have four children at home in the Philippines, and I support them. They are aged between 20 and 29. My mother also lives with them. She’s in her 80s. I’m the only breadwinner for them. Most of what I send home goes on paying the mortgage for the house they are in and putting my children through college.
People in Ireland say to me: “Why are you still supporting your children when they are so old?” But I made a deal with them that they would stay at home and look after my mother – that’s why they’re at home.
I try to relax, too. I meet up with friends at the weekends. We go shopping, just to buy things we need. Penneys is good, as well as Debenhams. We might also eat out sometimes. There is a very good Filipino cafe on Abbey Street in Dublin.
All the time I’m trying to save. I’m back to where I started because I had no work for so long. I will work here for another year or so, save up and head home to my family. I miss them, but I phone them three or four times a week to keep in touch.
Sean Brennan (46)
Hardware shop owner
The gardening stuff is flying off the shelves. Bedding plants, hanging baskets. Everyone wants to make their gardens pretty. The sun over the past few weeks has been a godsend. There must be someone looking down on me. The hardware stuff isn’t moving, though. Things are still very tough: we’re just keeping the wolf from the door. We’re not making a wage, as such. The local customers here in Clondalkin are very loyal. You need that. Otherwise the the big multiples would swallow you up.
You don’t get any breaks at all. I was a couple of weeks late with my VAT returns. I got a sheriff’s letter in no time. I paid everything I owed – it was just a couple of hundred – but it’s vicious. A lot of it is out of all proportion. Look at how they’re treating the big guys, the property developers.
Our family is accustomed to the new life we have. I’ve five boys and a girl, ranging in age from mid-teens to mid-20s. They don’t ask for things they know we can’t afford.
Holidays are out of the question. I’ll have three in college from next September, and that worries the living daylights out of me. It’s frightening, because you don’t know if you’ll be able to afford it. It’s more expensive than second level: there’s travel costs, college fees, all that. But it’s vital.
They need to get educated. Otherwise, there’s nothing out there.
My wife is very positive, which is great. We’re 25 years married this June. We were thinking of heading off somewhere to celebrate a few years ago, but not now. Maybe for our 30th anniversary. No matter how bad things get, family is most important. They can take your house and your business – but not your family. I try to stay positive, too. The weather helps: you can see people walking about with great feeling in them. They forget their problems for a while.
MAURA O’KEEFFE (65)
Widow
I was sick and confined to the house for the first few months of the year. I had an infection in my leg which stopped me going out. Then, just as I was better at the end of April, I ended up being hospitalised for a detached retina. It happened very suddenly. The hospital was great. I was referred by my doctor straight away and operated on the the next day as a public patient at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear hospital.
The problem is my lack of mobility now. I was told to lie down and sit quietly for long periods, and not to stoop or bend. It means you can’t do much. You can't drive anywhere or go anywhere, really. That’s difficult when you live in a rural area. My family are great. They live close by and they all take turns, coming in with food and helping me, so I don’t have to cook.
If there’s a silver lining, it means that I’m saving money. I’m not spending anything on petrol or going out shopping.
I’m at pension age now, so the increased payment makes a lot of difference. I used to be on around €200 a week. Now it’s €230. There’s also the free TV licence and the discount on electricity, all those little perks. I have my free travel pass, although I can’t go anywhere at the moment. I still live frugally. I buy what I need. You need to save for things – the car needs new tyres and has to go for an NCT soon. That could cost a lot.
A lot of young people have it very tough. Students, too, who can’t find summer work. Thankfully, my family are working.
As for me, I’m hoping my eye improves soon and I get my life back to normal. We’re planning to go on a trip to Wales with the Summerhill Active Retirement Association (I’m a volunteer with their senior helpline – 1850-440444). I’d like to be ready for that.
