Liam Aylward
Question:48 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Justice the procedure invoked by her in the appointment of District Court clerks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2137/97]
Written Answers. - Court Staff.
Section 46 (2) of the Court Officers Act, 1926 provides for the appointment of District Court clerks by the Minister for Justice. District Court clerk posts are filled either through the recruitment of executive officers from panels set up by the Civil Service Commission, following open public competitions, or from amongst serving civil servants in the appropriate grades, which range from executive officer to principal officer, depending on the level of responsibility involved. The persons selected are then formally appointed as District Court clerks under the 1926 Act by way of order signed by an authorised officer of my Department on foot of delegated ministerial authority given under section 15 (4) of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924 and section 7 (2) of the Documentary Evidence Act, 1925. This procedure has been in place since the early 1980s. Prior to that time there were separate open public competitions for recruitment to the posts of District Court clerk.