asked the Taoiseach whether the Local Appointments Commission will make provision to ensure that advertisements for posts in the local authority service are so framed as to allow time for Irish people overseas to learn of such posts and to apply for them in good time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Posts.
1.
Where the Local Appointments Commission anticipate that persons resident abroad may be interested in a local authority post being advertised an appropriately long period, sometimes five or six weeks, is allowed for the receipt of applications. In addition, certain posts are advertised in appropriate technical or professional journals or other publications circulating outside this country.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that all posts should be open to Irish emigrants who wish to return and that the present situation, in which in some cases advertisements require applying within a fortnight, makes it impossible for Irish people overseas to apply? Is he aware of a recent incident in which somebody who applied immediately from Canada was ruled out on the grounds that his reply came too late? In addition, is the Taoiseach aware that in some cases it is necessary to write for an application form and it can take three to four weeks for the correspondence to go four ways across the Atlantic? In these circumstances it is necessary to review the whole procedure to allow ample time for applications from abroad for all posts in the public service.
I am not aware of the specific incident to which the Deputy refers but I agree that there is a difficulty involved where potential applicants would not have an opportunity of replying within the 14 days limitation period. I am informed that in certain circumstances where hardship might be involved, or a person would be at a disadvantage by reason of distance, being in a foreign country for example, the Local Appointments Commission take a lenient view in certain cases. The Deputy will also recognise that there is always pressure on the LAC to fill posts expeditiously and it would be against the interests of that principle if too long a delay was involved between the advertising and the filling of the posts.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that a week or two is not very vital, particularly if it means getting the best applicant? If somebody only had a fortnight he would not get it.
I think that is true and if there is a need to review the procedure that ought to be done and I will make inquiries about it.
Thank you.