Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Question No. 531 of 12 April 2005, if he will provide the requirements for establishment referred to. [12117/05]

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of unestablished civil servants in his Department. [12118/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

In my reply to an earlier parliamentary question I set out the position on established and unestablished positions. An established civil servant is required to serve a two-year probationary period during which he or she must prove satisfactory from a health, performance and attendance perspective. In the case of a former civil servant the probationary period is one year. Temporary clerical officers and other grades, for example, adviser to the Minister and other support staff, are employed on short-term contracts.

An unestablished civil servant in the grade of executive officer or administrative officer is required to serve a period of one-year on a contract basis. At the end of the contract period, if the civil servant proves satisfactory in all aspects, an established position will be offered. The civil servant will then undergo a further one-year probationary period.

All service grades, that is cleaners, service attendants and officers, are appointed in an unestablished capacity. Competitions are held by the Public Appointments Service from time to time to allow them compete for establishment.

There are 183 staff employed in my Department in an unestablished capacity. The numbers and grades are outlined in the following table.