asked the Minister for Finance if he will state how many candidates, male and female, respectively, have entered for the examination for clerical officers to be held on 30th June, 1925, and following days, which is limited to persons who have had six months' temporary service on 1st June, 1925; how many of these candidates are males between the limits of age fixed for open competitions for clerical officers and how many are females; how many of these candidates are males and females between 30 and 40, 40 and 50, and over 50 years of age; how many of these candidates are males under 30 years of age and over the age limit for open competitions for clerical officers, and how many are females; how many of these candidates are males and females in established Civil Service positions; how many of these candidates are males occupying temporary positions in the Civil Service on 31st March, 1925, who were (a) Super-clericals, (b) Grade I., (c) Grade II., (d) Grade III., and (e) Grade IV. Clerks, and how many were females.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EXAMINATION FOR CLERICAL OFFICERS.
A total of 1,290 candidates have entered for the competition referred to in the question. The staff of the Civil Service Commission will be fully employed up to the 30th June in preparing for the examination, and it would not be feasible, without risk of failure in completion of the examination arrangements, to require the staff to prepare the detailed return asked for. I should be glad, before considering whether the information might be given at a later date, if the Deputy would indicate the object for which the details are desired. Unless a definitely useful purpose would be served, I should not be prepared to place upon the Department the additional burden that would be involved in the preparation of this return.