Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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665. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current position regarding circular EL 02/11; if incremental credit can be sanctioned for local authority staff with relevant previous experience; if the circular is having any impact on local authority recruitment drives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39854/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, it was agreed previously by Government that with effect from 1st January 2011, starting pay on recruitment from open competition for all posts within the public service should be at the minimum of the relevant salary scale.

My Department issued Circular EL 02/2011 to all Chief Executives in the Local Government sector, following receipt of the Department of Finance instruction. Circular EL 02/2011 provides that all future competition notices, advertisements and information booklets must specify that, for persons entering a recruitment grade for the first time, starting pay will be at the minimum of the scale. Such notices and booklets must also specify that the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The provisions of the Circular state that no undertaking, formal or informal, should be given by or on behalf of any local authority to a candidate that the relevant salary may be negotiable.

However, where a Chief Executive is of the view that there are exceptional circumstances justifying the offer of starting pay above the minimum, the specific sanction of my Department (in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform) should be sought in advance of any offer being made.

This policy is still in force, as are the provisions of Circular EL 02/2011 and my Department has no evidence that it is having any effect on recruitment campaigns for the local government sector.