Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 2

Written Answers. - Civil Service Appointment.

Ivan Yates

Question:

107 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance if a person who has diabetes which is under control can be appointed to a permanent post of clerical assistant or clerical officer in the Civil Service; if this illness debars such a person from taking up such a post; and the medical criteria which apply in this regard.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

The selection of persons for appointment to such positions in the Civil Service is a matter for the Civil Service Commissioners. Under the Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956 (No. 45 of 1956), the Commissioners may accept a person as qualified for appointment only if (inter alia) s/he is in good health and free from any physical defect or disease which would be likely to interfere with the proper discharge of his/her duties.

I understand that a person with a diabetic condition which is under control would not normally be debarred from appointment to a permanent post of Clerical Assistant or Clerical Officer in the Civil Service and the Civil Service Commissioners consider each case individually on the basis of a medical assessment by the Chief Medical Officer.