Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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89. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of applicants who applied for the position of laboratory attendant at the State Laboratory, Celbridge, County Kildare; the number interviewed for the post; if further positions are likely to be filled following the interviews; if the position was, or is, open to applicants outside of present employees; if further vacancies are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17092/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am informed by the State Chemist that 111 applications were received for the position of Laboratory Attendant at the State Laboratory, Celbridge, County Kildare. The next stage will involve shortlisting of candidates and it is expected that interviews for the post will be held in mid May. There is one vacancy to be filled following the interviews. The position was also open to applicants outside of present employees.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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90. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if asking candidates in interviews for positions in the civil and public service regarding their political views is prohibited or in breach of any guidelines. [17038/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Recruitment to the Civil and Public Service is regulated by the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. The Act established the Public Appointments Service (PAS) as the centralised recruitment body for the Civil and Public Service. The Act also established the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) as the regulator of civil service recruitment. The CPSA publishes codes of practice setting out how competitions are run and also issues recruitment licences to individual Departments to allow them to conduct their own recruitment.

Probity is a key principle underlying all recruitment under the Act, and a key objective of the Commission is to ensure acceptable standards of probity in all appointment processes. The principles established by the Commission in the Code of Practice are underpinned by the core values that define probity such as integrity, impartiality, fairness, reliability and ethical conduct.

In light of the values and principles of recruitment for the civil and public service established and overseen by the Commission, it clearly would not be appropriate for an applicant to be asked a question on their political views. The Deputy may wish to note that the Commission maintains review procedures in the case of where there is an alleged breach of its Code.  These procedures are published on its website at www.cpsa.ie.