Referendum pay rates

I felt it better to ask here rather than start a new thread. I’m doing polling clerk for the local/european. I wanted to clarify something. 6:30 to 10:30 is fine if long. During breaks am I allowed leave the polling station?

Can I ask, who pays the staff at the polling centres? Is it the local council that the payment comes from or government or where?

Got a poll clerk job for Friday. I see there is no travel or subsistence allowed now and also to bring your own refreshments. Seems quite poor.

You do get breaks but they need to be taken during quiet periods.

Are you actually serious, no toilet or food breaks for 18 hours straight??

I’ve got myself a last minute job at the count however have never worked at any election before. Is it really 18hours? I start at 8am so does this mean I have to arrange a way home for 2am?! Also I’ve received no other information other than my appointment letter which only really states its location and start time, will I be receiving training or does this all happen on the day? Also I read on this thread that pay is €272 for first 12 hours, anyone know if this is still accurate?
Appreciate it

It depends on the size of the count, the individual returning officer and how the counts are progressing. If, in the local elections, there is a prospect of completing them that night,or the second night, then they may keep working at it until the very early hours. If on the other hand, there is no likelihood of completion, or recounts to be done, then they'll call it early and return the following day.

I've left a local count and met count staff for the Europeans, arriving in the morning!

The Europeans, especially the large constituencies will in all likelihood go on for days, in those cases they will probably finish at a fairly reasonable time each night.

it should rule you out, yeah. You have a job starting at 8am. You’ve to be there for 8am

These roles don’t suit everybody. You have to be available early and late, and have your own transport (or lifts).

Does anybody know how long it takes usually to get paid after the Counting?

I will what?

I was informed today that as my residence is less than 100km from the Count Centre, I won't qualify for subsistence. My residence is 96 Km from the count centre which given it's a good road is within an hour and 15 mins trip but I'm not a fan of driving while tired very early in the morning or in the middle of the night and b& b's are way too expensive and that's for basic ones in dodgy areas. I might have to leave it off on Sunday 🙈🙈

All done now as the poll clerk. The lack of any food/drink (Bar sneaking some instant coffee from school staff room) is very poor I think.

Also, if you really wanted a presiding officer could easily get into a ballot box and change all of the results on the ballots. Just have to do it from the polling office in your car to the count center and reseal the box (With the…zip ties)

I would recommend it though. Its great craic and the time flies!