Vol. 461 No. 2
55 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to change his Department's policy which precludes many professional grades from competing for senior positions in the Civil Service for which they are suitable and qualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19159/95]
Competition for the most senior posts within the Civil Service — those filled through the Top Level Appointments Committee — is, in fact, open to civil servants, within a certain salary band, regardless of whether they belong to the general service or the professional structure.
In relation to competition for posts at principal level, which is I presume the area of particular concern to the Deputy, some years ago my Department made proposals which would have broadened eligibility, but it was not possible to secure the agreement of the relevant staff interests to the proposals.
I have already put on record in this House my personal support for the removal of traditional promotion barriers in the Civil Service. This matter has been received by the Co-ordinating Group of Secretaries in the overall context of proposals for reform of the Civil Service and the Government is completing its deliberations on this matter at present. Until this process is completed, I am not in a position to indicate any plans in this regard.
