Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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879. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a limit to the number of consecutive years an employee can work in the public sector as an outsourced member of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24454/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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People employed through recruitment agencies or on short term contracts may be covered by the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 Act or the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Workers) Act 2003.

As the Deputy will be aware, both of these Acts apply the principle of equal treatment in terms of basic working and employment conditions for agency and part-time workers in the same way as applies to employees recruited directly to do the same or a similar job.

As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have overarching responsibility for the Civil Service.

Most recruitment to the Civil Service is governed by the Public Service Management (Recruitment & Appointments) Act 2004, and the method of appointment to a permanent Civil Service post is as a result of being successful in a competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) or by another licence holder such as the head of a Department or Office. Selection processes are open to all eligible applicants who meet minimum entry criteria.

It is a matter for the Human Resource Units in all Departments and Public Sector Bodies to have procedures in place for dealing with the recruitment and employment of agency and fixed-term staff and the management of their contracts. Any queries about temporary contracts should be raised directly with the relevant HR Unit within the Department employing the person. I have no function in these matters.

My Department has issued Guidelines on "Best Practice for the Recruitment and Management of Fixed-term Employees in the Irish Civil Service". These are revised from time to time as required. The Guidelines can be found on my Department's HR Management website.