Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
575 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the exact position on the recruitment of clerical staff by local authorities in respect of qualifications; the reason a leaving certificate is required in the case of a person with a primary degree; his views on whether this requirement discriminates against persons who avail of second chance education opportunities; and if he will review this policy. [17923/04]
View answerThe current educational qualifications declared for the post of clerical officer in a local authority require a candidate to have obtained at least grade D (or a pass), in higher or ordinary level, in five subjects from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education and Science established leaving certificate examination or leaving certificate vocational programme, or have passed an examination of equivalent standard. The holder of a primary degree who is not the holder of a leaving certificate would be regarded as satisfying the educational qualifications for clerical officer posts.
Persons who do not satisfy the educational requirements are eligible to compete for clerical officer posts provided they have had at least two year's previous service as a clerical officer or clerk typist under a local authority, or heath board in the State, or have satisfactory relevant experience which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills.
