Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 8

Written Answers. - Civil Service Competition.

Noel Ahern

Question:

80 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the number of candidates who sat for the qualifying exam in the recent confined competition one and two for paperkeeper in the Civil Service; the number of people called for competitive interview to both panels; the number of places allocated to both panels; the number of vacancies that currently exist for the grade of paperkeeper throughout the Civil Service and the impact the embargo will have on the filling of these vacancies. [4051/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

The number of candidates who sat for the qualifying exam in the recent confined competition for paperkeeper was 78 for competition one and 46 for competition two. The number of candidates called for competitive interview was 70 for competition one and 29 for competition two.

It is not possible to say what number of places will be allocated to either panel; this will be determined by Departments' requirements during the period of the panel; such requirements could not be forecast, with any degree of accuracy, at this juncture. Under the administrative budget arrangements, my Department is not informed of the number of vacancies which exist at each grade level. Even if such information were readily available, it would only be of limited use to the Deputy as Departments have certain discretion as to which posts they will fill. However, as a precaution against unfilled vacancies falling disproportionately on lower grades, such as paperkeeper, I have emphasised that such delegation may be revoked if it is not exercised equitably as between various categories of staff.

It is difficult to be precise as to the likely impact on the paperkeeper grade of the current staffing restrictions, under which only one out of every three vacancies may be filled, as I have delegated authority to the heads of Departments to decide which vacancy in any sequence of three is to be filled, subject to the proviso, as to equity between different levels, already mentioned.