Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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165. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the procedure by which private secretaries are appointed to Ministers; if such appointments are within the remit of the various codes produced by the Commission of Public Service Appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28789/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Department of the Public Service Circular 6/1984 - Private Secretaries and Confidential Clerical Assistants sets out instructions concerning private secretaries and confidential clerical assistants. The circular provides that the persons selected to act as Private Secretary should be drawn from the grades of Executive Officer, Higher Executive Officer or Administrative Officer.

It is my understanding that most, if not all, officials appointed as Private Secretary to a Minister are appointed by way of a lateral transfer of a serving civil servant within the Minister's Department. The Commissioners for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) do not consider the post of Private Secretary to be an appointment as described in the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. The CPSA plays no role in overseeing the appointments to the post of Private Secretary.

Selection processes for such appointments are usually confined to staff in the Department where the appointment is to be made and run by the Human Resources Unit of that Department. Applications are sought from Higher Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, or Executive Officers who wish to be considered and a shortlist based on a CV or letter of application is drawn up. In general, those who are shortlisted are interviewed by the Minister or Minister of State, as appropriate, and who may be supported in the interview process by the HR Unit. The final decision on appointment will rest with the Minister or Minister of State.