Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
394. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a series of matters in relation to the 2019 Irish language executive officer panel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1790/22]
View answerI would refer the Deputy to my recent replies to a number of related Parliamentary Questions on this matter (PQs 62607/21, 56346/21, 54814/21, 55749/21).
As the Deputy will be aware, this competition was undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) as the independent, statutory body that provides professional recruitment and selection services to the civil service. PAS forms panels for general civil service positions that candidates are assigned from as and when vacancies are notified to it by civil service employers. All recruitment is demand led and, while every effort is made to endeavour that panels are not large, candidates are advised from the outset that placement on a particular panel is no guarantee of appointment to a position arising from their participation in a particular competition.
The panels established from the 2019 competition expired on 31 December 2021, with my Department having previously authorised a three month extension. A new competition will be advertised by PAS on 20 January that may be used to fill vacancies arising for fluent Irish speakers at the grade of Executive Officer over the next 2 years. I consider this an appropriate timeframe in terms of striking a balance between how long candidates may remain on panels against the need to refresh panels by allowing applications from those either not eligible at the closing date or who did not meet the standard at a point in time for a particular competition.
