Vol. 568 No. 5
215 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the starting pay scale for clerical officers with considerable experience in the private sector; his views on whether it is satisfactory that they must start on the first point on the pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16577/03]
Candidates who are successful in an open recruitment competition for clerical officer receive a starting salary equal to the first point of the incremental pay scale. The Deputy may wish to note that this is in line with the normal recruitment policy in the Civil Service which has been to recruit suitable candidates at the most economical rate possible. In that context, the Civil Service Commissioners have been consistently successful in recruiting to the grade of clerical officer in the Civil Service.
The Deputy will also be aware of the publication in 2002 of the benchmarking report by the Public Service Benchmarking Body and of the recommendations of that body for the remuneration of the various grades of the wider civil and public service.
The level of remuneration for the clerical officer grade has been dealt by the benchmarking body and I am satisfied that it is the appropriate rate in light of the duties and responsibilities undertaken by officers in that grade.
