asked the Minister for Health the extent to which senior promotion posts in his Department are open to service wide competition irrespective of grade; the number of posts filled by persons from outside his Department since the matter was opened up; if he will give details of each promotion post in his Department which is not open to service wide competition; and the reason for the restriction in each case.
Written Answers. - Promotion Posts.
512.
Normally senior promotion posts above the level of higher executive officer in my Department are filled from within the Department. In the professional and technical grades the top posts are normally filled through open competition because of the small numbers serving in each category.
The Minister for the Public Service has indicated in reply to a parliamentary question on 19 May 1982, column 1654, volume 334, that negotiations have been taking place with staff interests on the question of opening up certain higher posts in the civil service to inter-Departmental competition. I would very much welcome developments along these lines.