Vol. 540 No. 3
345 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Department of Finance sanctioned the payment of expenses to one of his officials (details supplied) which had, in fact, been received on 23 June 2000 when I was asked to withdraw a parliamentary question. [20702/01]
The Deputy will be aware that Civil Service regulations in relation to travel and subsistence expenses are of general application. Where issues arise in relation to an interpretation of these regulations, the Department of Finance is consulted. At the point when the Deputy raised this question, 23 June 2000, the process of consultation with the Department of Finance had not been concluded. Subsequently, this process was concluded and the officer in question was notified recently, through her union, that payment of the expenses sought did not come within the regulations.
346 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) was deemed by the consistory of senior officers of his Department as being unsuitable for promotion on seniority in June-July 1999; the further reason the Department's assessment was suddenly reversed; the reason the officer was not told that the record was going to be contradicted; if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing effect of his Department's action on the health of the officer concerned; the reason no attempt has been made to explain his Department's action in the 12 months since; the action he will take to make good the situation and render the record consistent; his views on whether his Department's advice that the officer should contact a charity to provide for her family to be an adequate response; and when moneys due to the officer for some considerable time will be paid. [20703/01]
The consistory process involves all of the senior managers of the Department forming a view as to the suitability of an individual officer for promotion. Each consistory operates by way of a full review of an officer's suitability for a higher grade in the light of all relevant factors including the most up to date assessment by that officer's managers. It is open to any officer to seek detailed feedback in relation to the decisions of the consistory. A detailed letter was sent to the officer on 5 July 2000 in this matter and most recently, a further communication was sent to the officer's union representative in relation to the position. Officials of my Department's personnel unit are available to give full feedback to this officer in an appropriate and confidential setting.
My Department's personnel unit has no knowledge of the reference to charity made by the Deputy.
There are no outstanding payments due to the officer under the regulations.
