Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 5

Written Answers. - Local Authority Employment.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

227 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 and other persons similarly circumstanced who do not have a leaving certificate and who grew up at a time when sitting for the leaving certificate was not the norm, but who possess vast experience of working for a local authority in Britain, can be considered for the position of clerical officer in the local authority service here; if he will ensure that ageism and life long ban for failure to hold a particular certificate will not remain a barrier, in view of the shortage of available personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14072/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

The situation is that for appointment to the grade of clerical officer an examination of leaving certificate standard is required in most cases. In 1997, the qualifications for clerical officer were revised in consultation with local authority management and staff representatives, and the educational qualification was maintained at leaving certificate level as this was considered to represent a suitable standard of general education.

An exception is provided for persons with at least two years previous permanent and pensionable service in clerical officer or clerk-typist positions in local authorities or health boards. These persons remain entitled to compete for local authority clerical officer positions irrespective of whether they have a leaving certificate. The provision made for holding internal competitions – to fill not more than 5% of clerical officer vacancies – allows serving local authority staff who do not have a leaving certificate to compete for these positions.

I have no plans at this time to change the qualifications for the position of clerical officer.