Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024
221. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail the arrangements in place for where an employee of the Department, and each organisation under its aegis, becomes elected or co-opted to a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19575/24]
View answerEmployees of my Department are expected to adhere to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour at all times. The Code forms part of the terms of employment of all civil servants. Part 2, sections 5.1 to 5.4 – ‘Civil Servants and Politics’ states that civil servants above clerical level cannot stand for local election. Civil servants in clerical grades and certain non-industrial civil servants are free to engage in politics and may stand for local election. Eligible civil servants are expected to apply to their Department/Office for permission to engage in politics and may, at the discretion of their Department/Office, have their application refused where any conflict of interest is identified.
In addition, my Department complies with section 9 of Circular 9/2009 ‘Civil Servants and Political Activity’ which brings together and elaborates on the rules that apply to civil servants in relation to politics and political activity including local elections.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to you on this matter in relation to staff of their own organisations.
