Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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204. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the criteria and policy for awarding progression up a salary scale for a new entrant to the civil and public service who enters from the private sector, has relevant experience and is seeking to commence on a point higher than point one of the scale will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35556/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In December 2010, along with other measures taken to reduce expenditure in order to stabilise public finances it was decided that all appointments through open competitions would be made at the minimum of the scale. These measures are reflected in the rules governing recruitment competitions and the literature provided to candidates.

Where a Secretary General or Head of a Department or Office is of the view that exceptional circumstances justify a starting point above the minimum, the specific sanction of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform should be sought in advance of any offer being made and on the basis of a business case. Clearly any widespread relaxation of the current policy would have implications for the sustainability of the public service pay bill.