Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Willie Penrose

Question:

260 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to hold a competition for permanent posts in the Revenue Commissioners and other Departments, in particular for persons who have been engaged as temporary clerical officers for a considerable period of time and who are seeking to participate in the Civil Service examination, with a view to their achieving permanent status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4506/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The Civil Service Commissioners are responsible for the holding of competitions for posts at clerical officer level in Government Departments and offices, which includes the office of the Revenue Commissioners. The most recent competition was advertised on 14 October 2002. Testing and interviewing of candidates are ongoing and to date 67 candidates have been assigned. Persons who have been engaged as temporary clerical officers for a considerable period of time were eligible to compete for this competition.

Clerical officer assignments can only be made by the commission in accordance with the demand for clerical staff from Government Departments and offices. The Civil Service Commission proposes to hold a clerical officer competition for the filling of vacancies in certain provincial areas in early March 2003. Persons who have been engaged as temporary clerical officers for a considerable period of time will also be eligible to compete for this competition.

The commission, at the request of client Departments and with the approval of the Department of Finance, also holds competitions for temporary clerical officers who wish to become established Civil Servants in a full-time capacity. The last competition of this nature was advertised in January 2002 and there are no plans at present to hold another such competition.

Question No. 261 answered with Question No. 257.