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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Oct 1931

Vol. 40 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Promotion to Clerical Posts by Examination.

asked the Minister for Finance if he has received representations on the subject of an announcement of a limited examination for clerical posts in the Civil Service open to Shorthand-typists and Writing Assistants; whether having regard to the fact that prospects of promotion to the Clerical Grade were amongst the stated conditions of these officers on entering the service, it is proposed to resume promotions by the normal method; and whether the Minister has given consideration to the fact that an examination of the nature proposed is an unsuitable test for officers of long service who have been a long time away from school.

Representations on this subject have been made to me on behalf of the lower grades concerned. The test now to be applied is intended to provide the promotions which the best members of the lower grades are entitled to expect. Last year promotions were made by the ordinary means of recommendation and personal interview, but the results were not entirely satisfactory. In view of that, and owing to the large number of candidates eligible, it has been decided that, in fairness to the general body of the eligible candidates, and in order to surmount the difficulty of determining efficiently their relative merits, the test should be by means of a written examination by the Civil Service Commissioners. The Commissioners have been informed, and will, no doubt, in setting the papers take cognisance of the fact that the candidates are persons who left school seven or more years ago. I may add for the Deputy's information that it has now been decided that no entrance fee for the examination will be charged to candidates.

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