Local Authority Staff.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004

Wednesday, 27 October 2004

Ceisteanna (282)

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

387 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that a clerical officer, for example with An Post, is not eligible for employment in the same grade within the local authority system, not meeting existing leaving certificate education requirements, notwithstanding the fact that they have other education qualifications and skills, for instance in IT; and if he proposes to change the education regulations for entry into the local authorities. [26050/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

The educational qualifications for the employment of clerical officers in local authorities require candidates to have obtained a certain level in the leaving certificate or an equivalent qualification. However, the qualifications also enable relevant experience to be taken into account for the purposes of admitting candidates to clerical officer competitions where such candidates do not fulfil the leaving certificate requirements.

Therefore, a clerical officer in An Post who does not meet the leaving certificate requirement would be eligible to apply for a clerical officer post in a local authority if they satisfy the employing authority that they possess satisfactory relevant experience in accordance with the qualifications as now declared.