Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 8

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Scheme.

Michael Moynihan

Question:

139 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline (a) the total number of applications received seeking posts in his Department's office in Killarney, County Kerry, (b) the procedures adopted in selecting the successful candidates and (c) if further appointments are to be made in this office; if so, if all applicants will be interviewed in order to determine the most suitable candidate for appointment.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

The transfer of the finance division of my Department to Killarney under the Government's decentralisation scheme took place on 20 August 1990.

In the absence of sufficient volunteers at certain grades from within my Department for transfer to Killarney, a canvass of other Departments was conducted. This produced a sufficient number of serving civil servants willing to transfer, except in the case of the messenger and services attendant grades. Accordingly, my Department requested the local FAS office in Killarney to furnish a list of persons from the area interested in posts in these grades. A total of 53 applications were received and on the basis of the information supplied by FÁS, I made three appointments — two messengers and one services attendant — in accordance with my statutory powers under the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924, and in line with normal departmental procedures I intend to make one further appointment at messenger grade on the same basis.