Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
140. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the grades of persons working in the national shared services office; if these posts are permanent; if positions become vacant, if the persons will be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30883/17]
View answerThe National Shared Services Office (NSSO) is established on an administrative basis within my Department. In the conduct of its business the NSSO employs staff at the following grades:
- Deputy Secretary
- Assistant Secretary
- Principal Officer
- Assistant Principal Officer
- Higher Executive Officer
- Executive Officer
- Clerical Officer
All of the above posts are permanent posts and positions are filled when they become vacant in line with business requirements and expenditure management guidelines. Recruitment to these posts is governed by the Public Service (Management and Recruitment) Act 2004. Under the Act, the method of appointment to a permanent Civil Service post is as a result of being successful in a competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) or by another licence holder such as the head of a Department or Office. Selection processes are open to all eligible applicants who meet minimum entry criteria.
The NSSO also employs staff at Temporary Clerical Officer level. These posts are temporary and while in the main, vacancies in the Civil service are filled on a permanent basis, temporary vacancies arise from time to time to cover such absences as maternity leave or shorter working year. Temporary Clerical Officer (TCO) positions in the Civil Service are filled by an annual competition conducted by the PAS.
Decisions on the filling of posts, permanent or otherwise, in other public service bodies are a matter for the employing bodies in the context of their business needs.
