Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

107 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that a consistent and coherent procedure is in place across all Departments for dealing with promotions within the Civil Service to an extent that the suspicion of political favouritism in the making of these appointments would not have occasion to arise. [19105/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am satisfied that the systems in place for promotions within the Civil Service are appropriate and afford safeguards against suspicion of political favouritism. The most senior promotions, those to Secretary General and assistant secretary level positions are filled, with a number of specific exceptions, through the Top Level Appointments Committee, TLAC. This system, instituted in 1984 by Government decision, allows candidates from across the Civil Service to compete by interview for posts at the aforementioned levels. For assistant secretary level posts, the TLAC selects the successful candidate, who is appointed by the Minister in charge of the Department concerned. For Secretary General level posts, the TLAC draws up a list of three qualified candidates from which the Government selects the appointee. The application of a TLAC-type arrangement to posts in the Department of Foreign Affairs is under examination.

At other levels, promotion posts are filled through a number of mechanisms. Generally, about one third of such vacancies are filled from "order of merit" panels constituted by the Civil Service Commission following interdepartmental competition. The remaining vacancies are filled "internally" by Departments. The method of filling such vacancies may vary — some may be filled by internal competition and the use of this method is increasing, particularly at middle management level; some may be filled through what is known as the "consistory" approach where management consider the suitability of the eligible field of officers for whatever vacancies may be on offer; or departments may fill vacancies on a "senior suitable" basis, where management considers the "seniority" list and selects the most senior officer who is deemed suitable for promotion.

Under section 4(1)(h) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and subject to the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956, the obligations of the Secretary General include managing all matters pertaining to appointments, performance, discipline or dismissal of staff below the grade of principal or its equivalent. Section 7, which provides that a Minister may, in writing, give directions to a Secretary General in connection with the obligations assigned under the Act, does not extend to section 4(1)(h).

In relation to arrangements for promotion at principal or its equivalent level and above where interdepartmental or TLAC procedures do not apply, the experience has been that Ministers have involved themselves sparingly, and not in a way which would give rise to suspicion of political favouritism.