asked the Minister for Finance whether Army service is taken into account when computing the upper age limit for eligibility for promotion of ushers or messengers in Government Departments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Promotion of Ushers and Messengers.
Where appointment to permanent posts of usher or messenger involves a competition conducted by the Civil Service Commission, service with the Defence Forces during the emergency is taken into account in determining the upper age limit for appointment. This arrangement is in consonance with the scheme of concessions announced in the White Paper on Demobilisation and Resettlement of Members of the Defence Forces.
Where promotion within the permanent Civil Service is effected in the normal course or by inter-departmental selection it is not customary to take Army service into account in connection with any upper age limit that may be prescribed, as resettlement is not involved.
Has there been any precedent whereby Army service was taken into consideration where promotions within the Civil Service were concerned?
I do not understand the Deputy's question. Perhaps the Deputy did not hear my reply, part of which I shall repeat: "Where promotion within the permanent Civil Service is effected in the normal course or by inter-departmental selection it is not customary to take Army service into account..."
My question was based on what might have been customary. Has it ever happened within the permanent service that you have taken Army service into consideration where promotions are concerned and where there is more than one candidate?
Not in regard to established civil servants.