asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether, in the proposed examination to be held early this year for officers of Customs and Excise, special facilities will be granted to demobilised and serving officers and men of the National Army; whether the age limit will be extended to 35 in that examination, and, if not, whether he is aware that the age limit, which it is stated is about to be fixed, will disqualify many men who rendered valuable service to the State within the past few years.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CUSTOMS AND EXCISE EXAMINATION—AGE LIMITS FOR ARMY CANDIDATES.
The previous examination for the Customs and Excise service to which the Deputy refers, was confined to officers and men of the Army, and fifty posts were given as a result of that examination to Army candidates.
The forthcoming examination is an open competition for candidates between the ages of 19 and 22. Candidates who have served in the National Army will, however, be given special privileges at this examination. Twentyfive posts will be reserved for Army candidates who reach a qualifying standard in the examination, and I propose to recommend to the Civil Service Commissioners an extension of the age limit to 35 in the case of Army men entering for this particular examination. It must, however, be understood that in view of the disadvantages of admitting men to the Civil Service up to the age of 35, I cannot undertake to recommend a similar extension of the age limit in the case of any future examinations.