Vol. 447 No. 11
216 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the system for the appointment of permanent cleaning staff in Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 7, and in the Four Courts to enable long term part-time staff, some of whom have six years or more service, priority over newcomers with no service whatever, in particular in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [1345/95]
In 1991, the Department of Finance issued guidelines for the appointment of full-time cleaners to bring such appointments into line with current practice for the rest of the Civil Service. The procedures to be implemented involved the holding of competitive interviews for all cleaners on a relief panel, if such existed. Otherwise, a list of suitable people could be obtained from FÁS, and these, as well as those who personally applied, would be interviewed.
The relief panel in operation in Garda Headquarters consists of 12 cleaners, who were employed from time to time to fill temporary vacancies created by annual leave and/or sick leave. Since the introduction of the new appointment procedures, 11 of the present complement of 36 full-time cleaners at Garda Headquarters have been appointed by competitive interview. Interview boards are not obliged to select candidates with the longest service.
The most recent vacancy for a full-time cleaner in Garda Headquarters was filled following interviews of the relief panel in February 1994. The person detailed by the Deputy was interviewed and was unsuccessful on that occasion.
