asked the Taoiseach if the Local Appointments Commission and the Civil Service Commission allow special marks for Army service to exArmy men applying for positions under local authorities and in the Civil Service; if circulars were issued by the Government directing the commissions to allow these marks and what proportion of marks are allowed for the maximum six years' service and if the commissions have carried out Government policy in this regard in filling positions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Service and Appointments.
It is the practice of both the Local Appointments Commissioners and the Civil Service Commissioners to award extra marks for full-time, permanent service in the Defence Forces in open competitions, by interview-board procedure, for professional, technical and other posts, and also in open competitive examinations. Such marks are not awarded, however, in competitions for posts of classes for which special competitions, confined to members or former members of the Defence Forces have been held.
Perhaps I should mention, incidentally, that extra marks are also given, though, of course, at lower rates, for service, during the emergency period, in the various auxiliary defence organisations.
The practice of both commissions in the matter of extra marks for service in the Defence Forces is in accordance with decisions which have been taken by the Government, and communicated to the commissions, from time to time. The extra marks are awarded in relation to the length of the fulltime permanent service rendered by the individual candidates in the period from the 2nd September, 1939, to the 31st October, 1946, up to a maximum of six years' service. I am satisfied that both commissions have carried out Government policy in this regard with scrupulous care.
It is considered inadvisable to state the precise details of the proportion of marks allowed for service in the Defence Forces, for the reason which I mentioned in the course of my reply to a question by Deputy Sweetman on the 21st July, 1948, namely, that, if an interview board were aware of the effect which such extra marks would have on the final placings of individual candidates, the members of the board might unconsciously be influenced in assessing the relative merits of the candidates in other respects. As I pointed out on that occasion, the present position is that a board can confine themselves to the relative merits of candidates in regard to their professional or technical qualifications and suitability, and determine their placings solely with regard to these considerations.
I should like to inform the Taoiseach that some ex-members of the Army feel that there is a certain prejudice militating against them at interview boards. I wonder if it would be fair to those people to have on these interview boards one person with Army service? I am afraid, with regard to the Civil Service Commissioners, that at some time or another the decision of the Government was not implemented——
The Deputy is making a speech.
I am not, Sir. I wonder if the Taoiseach would look into this matter.
That is better.
If the Deputy will give me information about any specific case I will have it inquired into. I think that the point which is probably pressing on his mind is covered by the reply. The reason why the actual amount of preference for Army service is not indicated to the members of the selection board is in order to try and avoid the very thing the Deputy is worried about, namely, prejudice about Army service. As I say, if the Deputy will give me details in regard to any specific case I will have it looked into.
Thanks very much.