Vol. 447 No. 11
71 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the number of competitions which are held for established appointments; if they are confined to those in temporary or unestablished positions; if the qualifying rules are standard or if they were altered in the recently announced competition; the number of established and unestablished positions which currently exist; and the number of appointments which will be made under the competition. [1096/95]
Confined competitions are held by the Civil Service Commissioners from time to time for the appointment of those in unestablished positions in certain grades to established positions. Such competitions are in addition to the various open competitions held for recruitment to the Civil Service in an established capacity. The most recent confined establishment competition announced in 1994 admitted services officers, formerly messengers, and a number of other grades some of whom were not previously covered by such a competition. The candidates were required to have two years continuous service in one or more of the grades and three years continuous service in the Civil Service. At the preceding confined competition announced in 1990 and limited to messengers candidates required two years service in the grade in order to be eligible to compete although they required three years service before being eligible for appointment in an established capacity. In line with standard practice the unions representing the staff concerned were consulted and agreed with the arrangements for these competitions, including the eligibility requirements. In respect of the grades eligible at the most recent confined competition the latest figures available show that at 30 September 1994 there were a total of 175 officers serving in established positions and 577 officers serving in unestablished positions. It is envisaged that all candidates qualified in all relevant respects by the Civil Service Commissioners for establishment from the most recent competition will be offered established appointments.
