Vol. 478 No. 1
48 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Finance whether a person who was officially exempt from studying Irish for the leaving certificate is required to have Irish to be eligible for the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10681/97]
A knowledge of Irish has not been obligatory for entry to the Civil Service — apart from entry to those positions for which Irish is essential for the performance of the duties — since 1975. Candidates are given equal credit for proficiency in Irish and in English at Civil Service recruitment competitions.Candidates displaying a proficiency in both languages will get credit for this in determining the order of merit in such competitions.
