Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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297. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding job vacancies in the Civil Service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4991/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the centralised recruiter for the Civil and Public Service. Recruitment competitions conducted by the PAS cover a broad range of areas including, professional/ technical; clerical/ administrative; senior management/ executive, etc. 

Recruitment competitions conducted by the PAS are advertised on . By logging on to this website, individuals can also register to be notified by e-mail or text message of vacancies as they arise.

In Budget 2015, it was announced that there would be a targeted programme of recruitment into the Civil Service to address service needs and a shortfall in key skills which commenced in late 2014 and is ongoing in 2015.

General Service recruitment competitions currently underway include the following:

Clerical Officer

A recruitment competition to fill clerical vacancies was advertised in mid-2014. Over 28,000 applications were received and, to date, just over 300 individuals have been assigned to vacancies. Approximately 130 have been assigned in 2015 and clerical vacancies notified to PAS over the next year to 18 months will be filled from this competition.

Administrative Officer (Graduate Recruitment) Competitions

The graduate Administrative Officer competition was advertised in October 2014 and it is likely that at least 20 will be assigned from that competition. The Administrative Officer competition to fill Graduate Economist posts in the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) is ongoing and interviews will take place shortly.

Executive Officer

A competition for Executive Officer was recently advertised attracting approximately 13,500 applicants. The selection process is currently underway.

Executive Officer (ICT)

The selection process is also currently in train to fill vacancies for the position of Executive Officer (ICT)

Principal Officer and Assistant Principal Officer Competitions

An open competition for Principal Officer will take place in the first quarter of 2015. It is also expected that competitions for Assistant Principal - both open and interdepartmental - will take place in 2015. 

Following a selection process PAS creates panels of qualified individuals from which vacancies are filled. It is not possible to determine in advance the total number of vacancies to be filled from such panels as this is determined from time to time having regard to demand from Departments and Offices.

The above recruitment programme supports Action 8 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan, to "open up recruitment and promotion processes at all levels". Under the Renewal Plan the established policy of open competition for all senior management positions (Assistant Principal and higher) will be extended. Further consideration will be given throughout 2015 to resourcing and staffing needs for the Civil Service.