Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)
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42. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform The application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2656/26]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the process for awarding higher pay scales for administrative grades below Assistant Principal in my Department is fully determined by seniority and suitability. The grades encompassed within this process are Clerical Officer (CO), Executive Officer (EO), Higher Executive Officer (HEO), and Administrative Officer (AO). There is no process in place in my Department for the awarding of higher scales at these grades outside of the seniority stream.

Higher scales were introduced by Circular 24/1995 for grades represented by the CPSU under the terms of the PCW pay agreement. The circular refers to the granting of higher scales as being 50% by way of seniority and suitability and 50% by way of application for the initial assignment to higher scales only. Paragraph 32.2.(a) of the circular states the Head of Department, following consultation with staff associations, would set out the criteria for progression to the higher scales going forward after that initial assignment in 1995 / 1996.

In my Department, where an officer in one of these grades becomes eligible for consideration for a higher scale on the basis of seniority, the officer is invited to submit an application for assignment to the relevant scale. This application is then subject to a suitability assessment, which includes a review of the officer’s performance management rating and sick leave record. Where all such checks are deemed satisfactory, the officer is awarded the higher scale. This process is carried out in accordance with the provisions of Circular 24/1995 and all relevant subsequent circulars relating to higher scales within the Civil Service. The process has also been agreed upon in consultation with the relevant staff association (presently FORSA). The means of selection in my Department as outlined above is long standing and to date there have been no issues in this regard raised by staff associations.

The requirement for cross sectoral processes does not apply in the case of my Department as higher scales are awarded on the basis of seniority and suitability only. Tenure of higher scales is maintained on mobility. This does not contravene any agreements of circulars relating to higher scales within the Civil Service.