James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

379. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will examine the case of a person (details provided); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46849/24]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) that the original decision taken in this case was subject to formal review. This review was carried out by a formal reviewer from the Compliance function in PAS, which operates independently of recruitment. The formal reviewer issued the outcome to the candidate on 5th December 2024.

The candidate raised issues in relation to his previous employment and was advised that the focus of the review was on the decision made by PAS and the evidence for that decision. He was advised that any grievances, complaints or issues he might have had with his employer were outside of the scope of the review, as was his request that PAS review his employer’s PMDS process.

All of the relevant information provided by the candidate was considered in the course of this review.

The candidate was also advised that, as the Section 7 review is final, there is no recourse to further review by PAS. Section 7.3 of the Code of Practice for Appointments to the Civil Service and Public Service published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments states that:

“Where a formal review of a recruitment and selection process has taken place under Section 7 of this Code of Practice, a complainant may not seek a further review of the same process under Section 8, other than in the most exceptional circumstances that will be determined by the Commission at its sole discretion.”

Outside of this, the candidate was also informed that candidates are also free to exercise their rights as they see fit and that PAS would fully engage with any enquiries that may arise from such processes.