Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in general, selection competitions within the Irish Civil Service take place by way of:

- competitions confined to particular Departments (Internal promotion) or

- from competitions open to candidates from all Departments (Interdepartmental promotion) or

- from open competitions to all eligible candidates including members of the public.

Candidates who are successful at a competition are ranked in order of merit and are placed on panels to await appointment when and if a vacancy arises. Recruitment and promotions are made on the basis of an agreed method of sequence. Sequences vary for each grade and usually involve a combination of open, interdepartmental and internal panels.  Qualification and placement on a panel is not a guarantee of appointment to a position.

The duration of Interdepartmental and Internal panels are generally agreed at the beginning of each campaign, extensions may be agreed provided there are objective reasons for doing so, but it is the norm that panels will finish at the agreed time.

The rationale for limiting panels are twofold. Firstly it gives people on the panel an opportunity to be recruited or promoted. Secondly, it ensures that panels are not left in place for long periods with no opportunity for others to compete.

Other factors determining the use and duration of panels would be determined by a number of factors including demand, required skills and workforce planning, with reference to their pay budgets.