Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the source of the Civil Service conciliation and arbitration scheme that partially or entirely restricts promotion from professional to administrative grades, or conversely states that certain promotions are to be limited to certain groups. [29625/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the conciliation and arbitration scheme has a role in respect of internal Civil Service promotions; and if so, the nature of that role. [29626/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.

The purpose of the Civil Service Conciliation and Arbitration scheme is to provide means acceptable both to the State and to its employees for dealing with claims and proposals relating to the conditions of service of civil servants and to secure the fullest co-operation between the State, as employer, and civil servants, as employees, for the better discharge of public business.

The scheme also sets out the conditions governing the operation of the General Council, the Departmental Councils, facilitation, arbitration and the procedure for dealing with claims.

The Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for the Civil Service includes provision for discussions relating to the principles governing civil service promotions.

Section 23 (f) of the C&A Scheme for the Civil Service provides that principles governing promotion in respect of the general service grades and in professional, scientific and technical grades which are common to two or more Departments may be discussed at General Council.

Section 42 (e) of the C&A Scheme for the Civil Service provides that principles governing promotion in respect of departmental grades may be discussed at Departmental Council.

Section 58 (1) (a) of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 provides that the Minister for Finance (now the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform) is responsible for all matters relating to recruitment in the civil service. This includes matters relating to eligibility criteria, staff numbers, grading, pay and all other working conditions of civil servants.

Where appropriate, schemes of promotion agreed under General Council reflect the eligibility criteria as set by the Minister under Section 58 (1).