asked the Minister for Finance if it is his intention to debar member of the Regular Army from competing at Civil Service Examinations for members of the Defence Forces, and to confine such examinations to ex-servicemen only.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Soldiers and Civil Service Examinations.
Members of the permanent force who enlisted during the period from the 3rd September, 1939, to the 11th May, 1945, or whose Army service was extended during that period, are eligible to compete at Civil Service examinations confined to members of the Defence Forces if they have not less than 12 months' satisfactory service and if they have served up to the 11th May, 1945. Members of the permanent force who were discharged prior to the 11th May, 1945, on such grounds as ill-health are also eligible to compete, provided they have the necessary 12 months' Army service. Persons who were awarded cadetships or permanent commissions have not been eligible to compete at those examinations but it is proposed for the future not to exclude persons who were awarded cadetships but who were found unsuitable for permanent commissions for reasons not affecting their suitability for civilian employment. Apart from this, it is not proposed to make any alterations in the conditions governing admission to these examinations.