Vol. 488 No. 1
67 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance if he will dispense with the necessity for an Irish language qualification for employment in the public service where use of the Irish language would not be essential and proficiency in a modern European language could be an acceptable alternative. [2366/98]
The Deputy will be aware that my responsibility in the matter is confined to the Civil Service. While the Civil Service Commissioners give credit at their competitions to candidates who are proficient in both Irish and English, a knowledge of the Irish language is not in fact an obligatory requirement for appointment to the Civil Service except where the use of Irish is essential for carrying out the duties of the position. Such a requirement might, for instance, apply to certain positions in the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands or in the Department of Education and Science. Otherwise, applicants who fulfil the requirements for a competition will normally be eligible to compete even if they lack proficiency in Irish and do not have a knowledge of another European language.
