Thank you for responding.
Grass Strip Basher...there is a lot of sense in what you say. I was reviewing some threads on "terms and conditions" and I can already invisage some frustration with very low wages. Hardly what you'd expect after such a large investment of both time and money. As you imply, that would be something a younger person would be prepared to take. I've already been to college, got qualified and crawled the ladder to good T&C's. I'm not sure I have the stomach, or the lifespan, to go through that again.
I will, however do the PPL ASAP and continue to review the situation.
A friend of mine qualified here
www.atlanticair.ie/private-pilot-license.aspx and recommends them.