Departmental Staff Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2013

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Questions (33)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

33. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the position of chief economist in his Department was first advertised in June 2012 and then re-advertised in July 2013; if the position has been filled yet; the number of applications for the position that came from Ireland and the number from abroad for both those application periods; the reason the position was not filled in 2012; if applicants from abroad who are called to interview are allowed travelling expenses; when will the position be filled; and if he is concerned that it will be difficult to attract applications to other jobs in his Department that have been recently advertised, particularly for young economics graduates when applicants would be unaware as to whom they may be working under which may deter high quality candidates from applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41294/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

When the position of Chief Economist in my Department was first advertised in June 2012, a suitable candidate was identified, and following negotiations, a contract offer was made. However, the candidate subsequently withdrew from the competition for personal reasons. Accordingly, the position was re-advertised in July 2013. On the basis that the current recruitment campaign is still active, I am not in a position to release details of the applicants or of the process, until the campaign has been concluded and the Chief Economist is in place. I can inform the Deputy that following a shortlisting process, a number of candidates will shortly proceed to the next level of the TLAC process (interview), and it is expected that the successful candidate for the post of Chief Economist will be identified within a matter of weeks.

My Department has successfully recruited ten high quality economics graduates since 2012, and more recently a further two more senior level Economists have also been recruited. Graduates continue to show great interest in working in my Department, and my Human Resources staff are actively engaged with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on the current Administrative Officer graduate recruitment campaign. This campaign includes an Economics sub-panel, from which further appointments to my Department will be made in due course.

Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 15.