Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Initially I see the PAS doing something similar in terms of central recruitment; it is only where flexibility is needed. If a Department in Portlaoise needs to recruit 20 civil servants, be they specialist or otherwise, it would make more sense for it to do its own recruitment locally rather than finding 100 people who are scattered throughout the country and who do not want to go there. Central recruitment will continue where it is efficient but this Bill will offer the flexibility to recruit locally. The roll out to local authorities and to health boards will be an issue for the Minister. I expect that recruitment under the new Bill will be more efficient and equally fair in terms of probity and the merit of the applicants. The Ministers with relevant responsibility for the environment, health or education may choose this recruitment route rather than the old one.