Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024
180. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection to detail the arrangements in place for where an employee of the Department and each organisation under its aegis, becomes elected or co-opted to a local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19571/24]
View answerThe Department complies with 'Circular 09/2009: Civil Servants and Political Activity' with regards to where an employee of the Department becomes elected or co-opted to a local authority.
Section 9. Participation by Civil Servants in Local Elections - the following provisions apply:
a. Civil servants in the craft, state industrial and manual grades and grades below clerical grades may stand for election to local authorities;
b. Civil servants in the clerical grades and non-industrial grades with salary maxima equal to or below the Clerical Officer maximum may stand as candidates at local election, subject to permission to do so being given by their Department. Departments must give such civil servants who are refused permission to take part in political activities, a statement of the reason for the decision;
c. Special advisers and other personal appointees of Ministers, Ministers of State, Parliamentary office holders and the Attorney General, holding temporary unestablished positions may contest local elections;
d. All other civil servants are completely debarred from standing for local elections, unless expressly permitted to do so by the terms of their employment
All staff of the Department must also comply with the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. This Code forms part of the terms of employment of all civil servants, who are expected to apply it at all times.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
