Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1291. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if it is standard practice for a private consultant to be used to recruit for non-commercial State employment vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14262/17]
View answerIn general, recruitment within the State Agencies under the remit of my Department is carried out by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
However, in some instances where it has not been possible to use the services of PAS, for example, for certain specialist posts, or where PAS are not in a position to assist due to the volume of campaigns on hand, the services of an external recruitment agency has been used.
The Commission for Public Service Appointments' Code of Practice on Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service sets out the standards to be observed in relation to appointments in the public service. The Code allows for the use of listed recruitment consultants providing the Agency concerned complies with the terms and conditions of the recruitment licence, the Code of Practice and other guidelines issued by the Commission.
