asked the Minister for Labour the extent to which senior promotion posts in his Department are open to service wide competition irrespective of grade; the number of posts filled by persons from outside his Department since the matter was opened up; if he will give details of each promotion post in his Department which is not open to service wide competition; and the reason for the restriction in each case.
Written Answers. - Promotion Posts.
452.
General Service Grades: All recent general service senior promotion posts, i.e. above higher executive officer level, in my Department have been filled to date by the promotion of general service officers within the Department. This is in accordance with normal practice in Departments generally for the filling of senior general service posts. However, one equality officer post, a grade equivalent to assistant principal, was filled by competition open to officers from all Departments.
As Minister for the Public Service, I have had negotiations with staff interests with a view to opening up certain higher posts in the civil service to inter-Departmental competition. I would hope that these proposals can be brought into operation at an early date.
Departmental Grades: When the National Manpower Service were established, the regional director posts were filled by open competition run by the Civil Service Commission. Regional director and assistant regional director vacancies have subsequently been filled by the promotion of officers serving in the National Manpower Service in accordance with normal practice for such grades.
Professional Grades: Promotion to professional grades in the Department has been confined to persons with professional qualifications in accordance with general practice. The post of Director of the occupational medical service was filled by open competition run by the Civil Service Commission.