Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014
154. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent media reports regarding the flawed system in place within the Revenue Commissioners for allocating promotions; the measures that have been taken to rectify the situation; the ramification for the company involved; and the actions he has taken to ensure that all promotions within the public service are carried out in a fair and transparent manner. [27153/14]
View answerI previously advised the House that this is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised that stage 1 of a recent internal competition for Executive Officers involved online testing of numerical and verbal reasoning. This is a common approach availed in recruitment generally, for example by the Public Appointments Service, where there are very large numbers of candidates. This stage was used to produce a shortlist for interviews, which are currently underway. The competency based interview process will assess suitability for promotion to the next grade.
An issue was raised with Revenue of a potential isolated incident of advance unauthorised access to the test site in Stage 1. This matter is currently being fully investigated by Revenue. An additional verification procedure for the stage 1 test has been put in place. I am advised that the stage 1 tests, which were conducted by an outside independent provider, were run in accordance with the Codes of Practice of the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). Revenue has also requested the CPSA to undertake an audit of the competition once it is completed.
