Departmental Staff Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018

Thursday, 8 March 2018

Ceisteanna (252)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

252. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a panel has been established in her Department for communications officers; if a Civil Service position of head of communications or similar role or description has been appointed in her Department; if so, when the appointment occurred; the grade at which it occurred; the reason for same; the policy basis for same; the person that approved the appointment; her plans to make such an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11712/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

My Department has not established a panel for communications officers. However a Head of Communications was appointed on July 17th, 2017 at Principal Officer level, following an open competition by the Public Appointments Service. The Department made the appointment as part of a wider drive to strengthen professional expertise within its corporate functions, which is a key objective of the Civil Service Renewal Plan.