Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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384. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date the report by the Commission for Public Service Appointments into the recruitment process of ministerial drivers was issued; the terms of reference for this report; and the key findings of the report. [1342/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have policy responsibility for recruitment and selection within the civil service.

I understand that the Deputy is likely referring to a number of complaints made in respect of an internal recruitment and selection process undertaken by the Garda Commissioner in respect of the assignment of sworn members of An Garda Síochána, who are public servants, as Garda Drivers assigned for security reasons to certain Ministers and Officeholders.  Accordingly, in accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner has statutory responsibility for the management of Garda business, including the recruitment and assignment of Garda members.

?As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) is an independent statutory body.  It is responsible for overseeing appointments to a wide range of positions in the Civil and Public Service.  In carrying out its oversight role, it audits recruitment processes and examines complaints from individuals unhappy with the conduct of an appointment process.  The CPSA may make recommendations, offer advice or give instructions to recruiting bodies within its remit.

As it is an independent statutory body, my Department has no involvement in the examination of complaints made to the CPSA.

I understand that the CPSA has considered a number of individual complaints in relation to this matter and issued reports on the decisions to each of the complainants concerned and the Garda Commissioner.   I understand that the CPSA found that the scoring system was applied consistently and appropriately to all candidates but that deficiencies were identified by the CPSA with the internal review process including concerns around communications with complainants.  The CPSA has, I understand, recently made appropriate recommendations to the Garda Commissioner, as the relevant officeholder under the legislation, in relation to this matter for his consideration.