asked the Minister for Finance the reasons for the discontinuance of the clerical officer grade in the Civil Service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Clerical Grade.
3.
Arrangements have been made for the transfer of certain duties from clerical officers to lower grades and the amalgamation of those lower grades into one grade. The change is designed to secure less dispersal of effort and more effective use of personnel and it should, in due course, produce a reduction in overall numbers. Provision has been made for the review of these arrangements in the light of experience when they have been in operation for four years. Though recruitment to the clerical grade has been suspended it would be premature at this stage to speak of discontinuance of the clerical officer grade in the Civil Service.
May I take it that recruitment for the clerical grade is suspended at the moment?
Yes.
For a period of four years?
Yes.
The Minister is no doubt aware that recruitment for the clerical officer grade provided an avenue of employment for a not inconsiderable number of people doing the Intermediate Certificate examination? Presumably instead of providing that employment for male staff, recruitment will now be confined to female staff, with fewer opportunities for people leaving schools to secure employment at home. May I presume that the Minister appreciated that and took it into consideration?
I should perhaps have said that recruitment will go on for this summer. Boys now completing their education will be recruited this year. After this year recruitment will cease.