asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of clerical officers recruited from (1) open competitive examination, (2) confined competitive examination, and (3) special interview board (a) the numbers in each class, (b) the number of children of each class in respect of which children's allowances are paid, (c) the rate of such allowances, and (d) the cost of such allowances in respect of each class.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clerical Officers.
18.
The answer is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
(a) General Service Clerical officers serving on 1 January 1963, recruited from
|
Number |
|
|
1. Open competitive examination |
694 |
|
2. Confined competitive examination |
760 |
|
3. Special interview board |
279 |
(b) Children of each class of clerical officer in respect of whom children's allowances are payable
|
Number |
|
|
1. Open competitive examination |
219 |
|
2. Confined competitive examination |
678 |
|
3. Special interview board |
67 |
(c) Rate of such allowances: £28; £11 a year for each eligible child.
(d) Cost of children's allowances for each class of clerical officer in year ended 31 December, 1962.
|
Amount |
|
|
1. Open competitive examination |
£6,133 |
|
2. Confined competitive examination |
£11,791 |
|
3. Special interview board |
£1,340 |
19.
asked the Minister for Finance when the last open competitive examination for posts as clerical officer was held.
In August, 1960.
20.
asked the Minister for Finance (a) the number of clerical officers serving in Government Departments when the last such officer was called from an open competitive examination, (b) the number now serving, and (c) the number and grades of those appointed from other grades to fill resultant vacancies.
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
(a) Total number of clerical officers (general service) serving in Government Departments when the last such officer was called from an open competitive examination (i.e., 8 August, 1962) |
2,106 |
|
(b) Total number of clerical officers (general service) now serving (i.e., on 8 February, 1963) |
2,027 |
|
(c) Number and grades of those appointed from other grades to fill the resultant vacancies |
39 |
|
Clerk-Typists |
21.
asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of granting to clerical officers in receipt of children's allowances at the rate of £11 the rate of £28 paid to those recruited from open competitive examinations; what is the reason for the differing rates of allowances; and if he will have this anomaly rectified forthwith.
The reply to the first part of the question is £8,755.
In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to the reply to a question on similar lines given to Deputy Tully on 21st February, 1962.
In the light of the considerations mentioned in that reply, the final part of the question does not arise.
The Minister has considered all the matters involved over a period and slept on it and would he not now think it is about time the matter was levelled out ?
There are very good reasons against it.
These are only fellows who were included from a low grade. It is snobbery.
22.
asked the Minister for Finance whether clerical officers in receipt of children's allowances of £11 are precluded from seeking an increase in the amount through the conciliation and arbitration machinery; and, if so, if he will state the reason.
A claim to have ex gratia children's allowances increased above the present rate of £11 a year has been received for discussion at the General Council set up under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Civil Service. In this connection I would refer the Deputy to the replies given to questions by Deputy Tully on 21st February and 7th March last.