asked the Minister for Education if it is his intention to fill the vacancy for the position of Director of the National College of Art; and, if so, if he will state if the position will be filled by competitive examination, or by Departmental interview, or both; if a knowledge of Irish will be essential; and when a decision will be announced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Director of National College of Art.
1.—A competition for the filling of this vacant position was duly announced and carried out by the Civil Service Commission recently. The regulations for this competition included a provision that candidates would be required to produce evidence that they possessed the necessary qualifications, and that they might be called upon to attend in person before a board for interview. This board was appointed for the purpose by the Civil Service Commission, and it would not be correct to describe the interview as a departmental interview, if this phrase is intended to mean an interview conducted by the Department of Education.
As regards qualifications in Irish, the regulations contained the following provision:—
2.—(1) If there is only one candidate who is qualified and suitable and who satisfies the commissioners that he/she has a competent knowledge of Irish, the commissioners will recommend for appointment that candidate.
(2) If there are two or more candidates who are qualified and suitable and who satisfy the commissioners that they have a competent knowledge of Irish, the commissioners will recommend that one of the said candidates who is the best qualified.
(3) If none of the qualified and suitable candidates satisfies the commissioners that he has a competent knowledge of Irish then
(a) in case there is only one qualified and suitable candidate the commissioners will recommend that candidate;
(b) in case there are two or more qualified and suitable candidates, the commissioners will recommend the candidate who is the best qualified, and for this purpose the commissioners will award to any of the said candidates who satisfies them that he/she possesses a good knowledge of Irish extra marks in respect thereof.
The Civil Service Commission was unable to recommend any candidate as qualified and suitable for appointment to the position as a result of the competition conducted by them. In the circumstances I am considering the making of temporary arrangements for the discharge of the duties of the position, but no definite decision has yet been reached regarding these arrangements.