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Mines are a few years away yet but will not be long coming round.

HLAs are becoming a big thing and while it does not apply to every course / profession I am seriously hoping some of my lot go this way. There is a lot of talk about is University worth it with the debt and all that.  Seen data, albeit it is from the US, about average earnings of a college graduate in relation to their student debt, scary stuff.  College degrees are a lot dearer in the US but there is no doubt about they are getting no cheaper here and the cost along with everything else such as accommodation is going to move in only one direction.

[It has changed my life]

Moved in to the public sector a few years ago after 20+ years in the private sector.  Took a sizeable pay cut but joined mainly for pension, holidays etc plus less travelling.

No doubt about the public sector is full of a serious amount of arseh*les full of their own importance and would not last 5 mins in the private sector.  To them their job is crap but none of them will leave because they know if they went somewhere else they might have to work.

My 'welcome to the public sector' moment was when I asked one of my department members to do something one day and they turned around and said that it was not in their job description so they refused to do it.

I always thought it was a myth, that the public sector is where you want your career to end up? What # of hols are we talking compared to private sector? Generally private is 25 plus bank hols etc.

Just moved to public sector in last 2 years and took a fairly substantial pay cut. But family needs forced it. But I Have 25 day holidays going up to 30 after 5 years. Then 12 bank holidays which is good. But the biggest wtf is having flexi time. I still, after 2 years, Can't believe how good it is!! It has changed my life.

There now a few years and between statutory holidays and annual leave entitlement I up to 44 days all in, was 29 in the private sector.  That combined with wfh a couple of days a week it has been a real game changer.  Bar winning the lottery we all now have to work to our late 60s so as far as I am concerned to all intents and purposes I have guaranteed for the next 20 years job security, holiday entitlements, fixed and high pension contribution and if I need (please God I dont) 6 months full sick pay.  Setting aside salary comparisons you will not find this in anywhere in the private sector.  My last private sector job was fairly pressurised to the point I do not think I could have stuck at it to 50 let alone made it to retirement age. Drive a sh*t car but still fairly happy with my lot, 5 years to go on the mortgage so hopefully this will help out when / if youngsters go on to 3rd level.

Moved in to the public sector a few years ago after 20+ years in the private sector.  Took a sizeable pay cut but joined mainly for pension, holidays etc plus less travelling.

No doubt about the public sector is full of a serious amount of arseh*les full of their own importance and would not last 5 mins in the private sector.  To them their job is crap but none of them will leave because they know if they went somewhere else they might have to work.

My 'welcome to the public sector' moment was when I asked one of my department members to do something one day and they turned around and said that it was not in their job description so they refused to do it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68352412

They seem to be on a real spending spree today.

Unless I am mistaken the funding in this regard is split between 3 protestant schools, 3 catholic schools and 1 integrated.  That will stop any rows.

Currently in the process of changing car and trying to source the best 7 seater SUV. From reading reviews the cars that seem best in performances and reliability are Hyundai Santa Fe, SKODA Kodiaq, KIA Sorento, Volvo XC90.

Would definitely be trying to buy a used car at reasonable money. Price of cars obviously increased post COVID so wondering is it best to maybe buy in England instead of Ireland.

Anyone any advice on 7 seater cars that they may already have especially the pros and cons.

Mate at work has a Kia Sorrento and is well impressed.

A big thing for him was the 7 year / 100k mile warranty which you would not get with a Volvo, Audi etc. 

Its gonna take a few £million just to clear the site.

I wonder how Stormont dodged the procurement rules on this.

Obviously some contractor is being handed a blank cheque and no doubt will fill their boots.

And: you know this:- or you are just saying?

Just saying.

Yes in private sector you can mobilise a contractor fairly quickly as it is your own money ultimately.  Different ball game when it comes to public sector with the need for transparency and what not.

For all you know there could be a couple of government departments who need to shift capital money before the end of the year so this could be a win win for them.

Procurement law went out the window when Covid came, cant see Casement as being as critical though.

Its gonna take a few £million just to clear the site.

I wonder how Stormont dodged the procurement rules on this.

Obviously some contractor is being handed a blank cheque and no doubt will fill their boots.

Racist shit stirrer Niall McConnell gets an absolute spanking from an angry Welsh lady. Well done her, I think I heard a wee tremble coming from hard man Niall.

https://x.com/i_ammukhtar/status/1757437139187339517?s=46

Donegal's version of wee Jamie.......what an absolute nob.

Whether you like them or not the majority of high profile English politicians come from a career background in that if they were no longer an MP they could go back to their previous profession e.g. Kier Starmer comes from a legal background.

Struggling to think what a lot of our politicians plan B would be in the morning if the Stormount gravy train ground to a halt.  There are only so many community workers needed so after that God knows what they would do.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68285797

Top Civil Servant in DoF to appear before a 'scrutiny committee' of MLAs.

Something not right here, the latter and the rest of their cohorts have been sitting on their backside doing sweet FA for two years and now they are bringing your man in no doubt to drag him over the coals telling him how to do his job.

TB not far wrong re gimme, gimme, gimme.

When (not if) there is a UI wait to you see what was the RoI economy take a hit when it has to take the cheque book out to prop up this place. 

I think there should be a suggestion box for how the government could cut costs and save money.

Obviously there will be some sensible and practical suggestions while there could be some crazy ideas.

My one would have Michael O'Leary in charge of the Civil Service. 

Any other suggestions?

Bring Sean Quinn out of retirement.

Title of this thread needs changed to: Israel genocide of Palestine.

+1

Yes - UUJ have previously won the competition but Ulster University is a new entity combining Magee, Coleraine and maybe a few other campuses.

The Poly covers all bases..

Do the BIFHE guys still tog out for UU?

There were a fair few of them kicking about back in my time.

I've tried searching this thread for posts on Euro Camp Holidays as I'm sure I've seen them mentioned before, but its returning nothing(?)

Currently exploring the idea of our first trip abroad with the kids – 6, 4 & 3
We liked the idea of the ferry to Brittany, but its around 17 hours & actually quite expensive so looking at flying
Has anyone any airport/camp combinations to recommend? Thinking short transfer
I've been checking flights to Nates/Paris/Amsterdam – might have to go the 12th week which isn't always ideal

I'm seeing flights from ~£800-1300 (before luggage) & the camp starts at less than £800 which isn't bad at all compared to a package holiday

Skipol Airport, Amsterdam to Duinrell Eurocamp is approx 40 mins.

We pre-booked the taxi bus before headed over.

Thinking of heading to Galway over Easter for a few days.

There is me, the missus plus 4 kids.

Any recommendations re hotels or self catering accommodation?