asked the Minister for the Public Service the action which has been taken on the recommendations contained in the report of the Dáil Committee on Public Expenditure regarding recruitment by the Civil Service Commission and the Local Appointments Commission.
Written Answers. - Committee on Public Expenditure.
89.
Statements on the detailed actions taken by the commissioners on the recommendations of the Committee on Public Expenditure have been provided to the committee for inclusion in their annual progress reports.
The major actions taken to date are as follows:
1. Large-candidature competitions, e.g. clerical officer, clerical assistant (clerical duties) are now being held biennially rather than annually. The examination for clerical officer and assistant officer of customs and excise has been amalgamated.
2. The written test for school leaver executive officer has been eliminated. Many written examinations are now job-related and test problem solving and reasoning abilities. There is less emphasis on academic or syllabus-orientated memory tests.
3. Since 1984, shortlisting has been a predominant feature in competitions run by the Local Appointments Commission. It is also standard at competitions on the Civil Service side where prescribed qualifications and experience facilitate this approach.
4. Additional information on the policies, activities and costs of the commission is now included in the comprehensive public expenditure programmes. Information on the actual number of vacancies filled is now given in the annual report of the commissioners.
5. Advertisements for large candidature competitions now give information on previous candidature and numbers called to interview, thus giving candidates an idea of their chances of success.
6. Computerisation has been extended and plans are at an advanced stage for future computer development.
7. Efficiency and cost effectiveness continue to be a prime concern of the commissioners. For example, session testing has been introduced for a number of competitions to make optimum use of accommodation etc. resources. The recent examination paper for the clerical officer (open) competition was in multiple choice format, thus permitting correction by optical mark reader. Computerisation of the application form requests system permitted more efficient operation and gave a better service to the public.