asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state how many candidates were called from the last examination confined to temporary clerks in the Department of Social Welfare; how many officers qualified in the examination and whether it is proposed to call additional candidates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Clerical Officers.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware (1) that on 29th December, 1950, the Civil Service Commissioners held a confined competitive examination for appointments to posts as clerical officers (male and female), the competition being confined to persons recruited for service as temporary clerks in employment exchanges; (2) that 68 qualified but up to the present only ten have been established; and (3) that vacancies are being filled in his Department from permanent clerical officers or writing assistants from other Departments while members amongst the 68 qualified as above are being passed over; and if, in justice to those who qualified in the examination of December, 1950, he will arrange to have them appointed according as vacancies arise until the whole 68 are established.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions No. 25 and No. 26 together. A competitive examination for appointments to posts as clerical officer (male or female) in the Department of Social Welfare was held on 29th December, 1950. The competition was confined to persons recruited for service as temporary clerks in employment exchanges. The number of posts offered was not less than ten should so many candidates be found qualified.
Sixty-eight candidates qualified and ten have been appointed clerical officers. Further appointments may be made but a decision as to the number will depend on the number of clerical officer posts shown to be available by the review of the basis of staffing in employment exchanges necessitated by the introduction of the new scheme of social insurance which is proceeding at present. I cannot undertake to reserve all vacancies for clerical officers in employment exchanges for candidates from the examination. The Deputies may, however, rest assured that the claims of the remaining qualified candidates will be sympathetically considered when it comes to filling posts for clerical officers in employment exchanges.
Appointments of writing assistants to employment exchanges are being made to fill vacancies for such officers arising out of the general reorganisation of the work of these offices in August, 1950. These appointments do not, therefore, affect the position as candidates from the examination referred to are eligible only for clerical officer posts.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that the qualified officers concerned, who have not yet been called, may anticipate that there will be a further draw from that examination?
All I can say is that I anticipate they will be considered.
Can the Minister say when he hopes to be able to come to some firm decision on the matter?
Well, I do not think it will take very long.