asked the Minister for Finance if he can state (1) the number appointed to established positions in the Civil Service within the past 12 months and the percentage of same who are sons, daughters or relatives of higher civil servants (i.e., from the rank of higher executive officer up), and (2) the number appointed by means other than open competitive examination who previously had failed to gain admission into the Civil Service by open competitive examination.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointments to Civil Service.
The total number of appointments to established posts in the Civil Service during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1944, was 322. No information is available as to the professions of the parents or other relatives of the persons appointed, as information of this kind in respect of candidates has never been obtained.
Apart from persons appointed by open competitive examination, the following appointments were made to established posts during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1944:—
Three former civil servants who resigned on marriage and were reinstated on widowhood.
Three former civil servants who were reinstated after short periods of absence in the religious life.
These six officers had all secured appointment in the first instance through competitive examination.
Forty-five wireless supervisors and operators. These men were originally recruited by departmental selection in a temporary capacity when our meteorological service was first established. They were established after not less than three years' satisfactory service, provided that they pass a strict departmental test of technical ability. There was no previous competition for wireless staff in our service. No information is available as to whether persons appointed were at any time candidates for Civil Service competitions for other grades of the Civil Service. Recruitment to the wireless staff is now by open competition for posts as trainee, the trainees being appointed to established posts after a period of satisfactory service.
Five air traffic control officers appointed by limited competition, entry to which was confined to officers serving on short service commissions in the air corps of the Defence Forces and who possessed qualifications in air navigation and legislation, together with flying experience.
One airport manager.
One former employee of the Congested Districts Board, who was victimised while so employed and resigned.
Twenty telephonists appointed by limited competitive examination, entry to which was confined to temporary telephonists in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, who had served in that capacity for not less than two years.
Ten inspectors (Land Commission) appointed by limited competition, entry to which was confined to persons who had not less than eight years' service as temporary inspector in the Land Commission.
One mapping draughtsman appointed by a limited competition confined to temporary draughtsmen in the various Departments who had served for not less than two years in that capacity.
One assistant junior forestry inspector appointed by limited competition confined to persons serving in the forestry service as temporary assistant, junior forestry inspector, or as head forester or forester.
No information is available as to whether any of the foregoing persons were at any time candidates for any previous Civil Service competitions. It would not be proper to discriminate as between persons who were candidates for Civil Service competitions and persons who did not present themselves as candidates for any such competition. It must be remembered that many candidates who qualified for appointment at open competitions did not secure appointment because the number of vacancies to be filled was less than the number of qualified candidates.