Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Appointments.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

208 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which the applications were marked for the agricultural officers in 2002; when there will be more of these positions advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2346/03]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

209 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the agricultural officers jobs advertised in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2347/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.

The Office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners advertised a competition on behalf of my Department for posts in the grade of technical agricultural officer in September 2002. The closing date for receipt of applications was 14 October 2002. The commission is an independent body set up under an act of the Oireachtas to select candidates for appointment. My Department has no function in that selection.

The competition comprises two stages. Stage one is a written examination and stage two is an interview. All candidates have now completed the written tests and the results have issued to them. Forty-seven candidates who were successful at the written examination have been called for interview. As a result of the interviews, 34 candidates have been selected for appointment. This panel of candidates will be used to fill present and future vacancies arising in the grade for some time. Another 23 candidates are being interviewed this week.

Selection for interview is based on the order of merit received by the candidate as a result of the written examination. The calling of further candidates for interview will be determined by the number of posts my Department anticipates filling. It is not envisaged that another competition to fill posts in the grade of technical agricultural officer will be held for some time.