Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 2

Written Answers. - Civil Service Recruitment.

John Gormley

Question:

138 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance the concerns, if any, he has that the number of applicants for the Civil Service declined from 29,000 in 1990 to 4,500 in 1999; his views on whether Civil Service jobs need to be made more attractive and put on a par with the private sector if more people are to be attracted to the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13428/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am aware that the demand for jobs in the Civil Service has declined. There is a variety of reasons for this not least being the significant expansion of employment elsewhere in the economy which has resulted in ever increasing competition in the jobs market. My department has the problem of recruitment to the Civil Service constantly under review.

To say that "the number of applicants for the Civil Service declined from 29,000 in 1990 to 4,500 in 1999" is somewhat misleading and does not reflect the complete picture and the changing circumstances that underpin the recruitment market today. The national competition for positions as clerical assistant advertised in 1994 attracted a candidature of 28,000. That competition was the first to be held in several years and, as a result, the number of applicants was significantly in excess of numbers applying on previous occasions and could not be regarded as the norm.

In recent years, following analysis of the changing labour market, and in an effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the recruitment process, a new approach has been taken to competitions for clerical positions. This means that competitions are now advertised on the basis of the geographical location of the vacancies or, alternatively, targeting particular sections of the potential candidate population, for example, former civil servants or persons with a disability.

In 1999 a total of five such competitions were advertised, attracting approximately 10,000 applications in total.

I, as Minister, recognise that in this era of increased choice, there is a need to ensure that jobs within the Civil Service remain competitively attractive and that there is sufficient awareness of the advantages of the Civil Service among those considering their employment prospects.

In this regard, a number of initiatives have already been undertaken. Two marketing studies have been commissioned, into awareness and perceptions of employment/career opportunities in the Civil Service and the issue of staff retention. Following from these, a high level group, the integrated marketing strategy work group has been established. The objectives of this group include the creation of an integrated marketing strategy, a retention policy and a communication strategy. It is acknowledged that we need to engage in a process of selling the Civil Service as a career which offers significant opportunities for interesting and satisfying work.

Other initiatives already in train include improved targeting of advertising, more frequently run competitions, a reduction in the timescale of the whole competition process and more representation at the various recruitment fairs that take place around the country.

As provided for in the Employment Equality Act, 1998, my Department has recently been engaged in consultations with the Civil Service unions on the elimination of age-related remuneration which exists in certain civil pay scales. With a view to improving the attractiveness of the Civil Service, I have agreed that the opportunity should be taken to eliminate the three age points on the clerical officer scale and three of the six age points on the executive officer scale. While this goes further than is required by the legislation, it will have the effect of increasing the starting salary of these two recruitment grades to the Civil Service. The higher starting salaries will feature in the upcoming advertisements for competitions for these grades.

My Department will continue to monitor the question of recruitment to the Civil Service.