Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason degree qualifications are given a higher weighting than being unemployed for persons applying for temporary summer clerical positions in her Department's offices in Athlone and the State Examinations Board; if she will review this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10980/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The recent competition advertised to recruit Temporary Clerical Officers for my Department's offices in Athlone and Tullamore along with the State Examinations Commission is being conducted in accordance with the Commission for Public Service Appointments' Code of Practice for External Recruitment for Appointments to Positions in the Civil Service. This Code places great emphasis on the recruitment of persons on the basis of merit.

This competition attracted 1,221 applications. Due to the high number of applications for this competition, it was not possible to interview all applicants, thereby, necessitating a short-listing process. The short-listing process entailed a detailed examination of the information supplied by applicants on their application forms. Apart from a candidate's highest educational attainment, marks were also awarded for previous work experience, computer skills and other relevant information.

In accordance with the above Code of Practice, applicants not included on the short-list were given the opportunity to seek a review of the decision. The closing date for receipt of such requests for reviews was Tuesday 20th March 2007.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason persons who failed to be called for an interview for temporary summer clerical positions in her Department's offices in Athlone and the State Examinations Board were only given three working days to submit an appeal; her views on whether this is acceptable; if she will review this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10981/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The competition to recruit Temporary Clerical Officers for my Department's offices in Athlone and Tullamore along with the State Examinations Commission is being conducted in accordance with the Commission for Public Service Appointments' Code of Practice for External Recruitment for Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service.

As decisions in relation to the short-listing for interviews relate to an interim stage of the recruitment process, three working days were provided to candidates to seek a review of the decision in accordance with paragraph 7.6 of the above Code of Practice. The three day deadline is necessary to ensure that delays in the recruitment process are avoided.