Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 82: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will respond to a query (details supplied). [25314/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In general, procedures governing the recruitment of persons into the civil or public service are a matter for the Minister for Finance. Subject to this, the following is the position in so far as my Department is concerned.

In accordance with the terms of the moratorium introduced earlier this year, no public sector post may be filled by recruitment except with the approval of the Minister for Finance. Where such recruitment has been approved, it is undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (formerly the Civil Service Commission) through competitions advertised in the public press. People who apply expressing an interest in working in my Department are advised to register on the Public Appointments Service website at www.publicjobs.ie.

Staff at Service Officer and Service Attendant level in my Department are recruited by way of competitive interview from our current complement of Cleaning staff. With regard to the recruitment of Cleaners, my Department engages FÁS to recruit on its behalf.

Ministerial private office appointments are made to a number of positions, i.e. Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary, Special Adviser and Civilian Driver. These appointments require the sanction of both the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach. In this regard, instructions relating to the appointment of Ministerial private office staff issued by the Department of Finance are adhered to by my Department in addition to the requirements laid down in the Ethics in Public Office legislation.

The recruitment of staff by the State bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the bodies concerned. While I retain responsibility for policy issues, I am not responsible and have no involvement in the day-to-day operational activities of these bodies, which are statutorily independent.

I can offer no comment or offer any response in respect of the example quoted by the Deputy, as I would have no function in the matter.