asked the Minister for Finance the reason shorthand continues to be required for applicants for clerical posts in the public service, in view of its decline in usage in the rest of the economy; and if any survey has recently been done on the actual usage of shorthand skills on a daily or weekly basis within the service.
Written Answers. - Use of Shorthand Skills.
97.
Shorthand is not required for the main clerical grade in the Civil Service for example: Clerical Officr, Clerical Assistant (Typist) and Clerical Assistant (Clerical). I have direct responsibility for the Civil Service in which shorthand is a requirement for the small grade of Clerical Assistant (Shorthand-Typist). There is still a demand, which is declining, for shorthand in some departments.
A survey of the usage of shorthand in the Civil Service was carried out in 1984. The situation will be kept under continuing review.