Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

16. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider reforming the process of appointment for ministerial private secretaries to have more transparency in the appointments or to have it overseen by the Commissioners for Public Service Appointments or the Public Appointments Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38010/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am satisfied that there is appropriate transparency in the appointment of the posts referred to in the Deputy's question.  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 in the Civil Service.

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.