Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2004
12 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that the promotion systems operated within the Civil Service are achieving best international practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12874/04]
View answerI am satisfied that the Civil Service is operating a best practice model for promotion systems. Best practice for both recruitment and promotion, as accepted internationally, involves the use of a process whereby each candidate is objectively assessed against the requirements of the job and selected on that basis. This selection process can involve a number of different methods, for example, aptitude testing, assessment of competencies and interviews.
In recent years, the Civil Service Commissioners and Departments have put in place a range of modern selection systems to improve interdepartmental promotion competitions at all grades, including key management levels within the Civil Service. The Civil Service Commissioners have carried out comprehensive job analysis studies in line with best practice models on all the main general service grades, and these are informing the selection process.
With regard to promotions within Departments, which are not handled by the Civil Service Commissioners, the modernisation programme outlined in the Sustaining Progress Agreement contains a number of important measures designed to improve promotion procedures. In particular, paragraphs 22.14 of the Agreement commits the Civil Service to "greater use of competitive, merit-based promotions within Departments".
In 2003, a cross-departmental group of Assistant Secretaries examined the area of competitive promotions within Departments, in the light of best practice in Ireland and elsewhere, and considered the steps which should be taken by Departments to meet the commitments in this regard. The group recommended that the personnel officers network, in consultation with the Civil Service Commissioners, draw up detailed guidelines on appropriate competitive processes, to further strengthen the internal promotion systems currently in operation in Departments. This is currently being done. In addition, my Department, in consultation with the Civil Service Commissioners, is also drawing up best practice guidelines on methods of selection which will be issued to Departments shortly. I am confident that the promotion procedures being used within the Civil Service are in line with international best practice.
