Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Civil Service Grievance Procedure (Circular 11/2001) outlines the procedure to manage complaints of individual members of staff within the scope of the procedure, which are not appropriate for discussion under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme.

The procedure has two stages; the first involves efforts to resolve the matter informally. If a grievance is not resolved informally, it may be referred to the second stage which is the referral of complaint to the appointed Civil Service Mediation Officer with a view to resolving the matter amicably.

The procedure, when implemented in 2001 envisaged the publication of an annual report on the operation of the grievance procedure. It subsequently became apparent that the majority of grievances are resolved informally, without recourse to the Civil Service Mediation Officer.

It came to the attention of officials in my Department that given the relatively low number of grievances submitted to the Mediation Officer through the formal procedure (on average 6 per year across the Civil Service), there is a risk, or perceived risk that the reports in their existing format could identify individuals involved. I am advised that the format of the reports are being examined to minimise this risk and will be published or republished as appropriate as a matter of course.