Dáil Éireann - Volume 409 - 29 May, 1991

Written Answers. - Top Level Appointments Commission.

Mr. Bell Mr. Bell

382

41. Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline having regard to his predecessors reply to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 28 October 1987 concerning the Top Level Appointments Commission (1) its present composition, (2) in relation to the posts of (a) secretary, (b) second secretary, (c) deputy secretary, (d) assistant secretary and (e) a departmental or technical equivalent who were appointed under the TLAC system or otherwise as at 22 May 1991, the name, date of appointment, the Department or office in which they are currently serving and the projected date of retirement on the basis of contract or age, (3) the present method of appointment under this procedure, (4) the [382] number of officers at No. (2) above who are remunerated on a performance basis and (5) the number of appointments made by grade and Department or office in each year between 1987 and 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds) Albert Reynolds

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds): The answer to part (1) of the question is as follows: Chairman: Mr. D. Nally, Secretary to the Government, ex-officio member; Members: Mr. K. Murphy, Secretary, Public Service Management and Development, Department of Finance, ex-officio member; Mr. E. McCumiskey, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, for a term of three years; Mr. C. Mac Domhnaill, Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, for a term of three years.

The Taoiseach has indicated that he has under consideration the appointment of a woman to be a member of the committee.

The answer to part (3) of the question is that there has been no change in the method of appointment of civil servants who come within the ambit of the committee. Secretaries of Departments are appointed for a term of seven years and on the basis of retirement at age 60 or, in certain cases, five years after their appointment, if this is later. Appointments to other levels are made in accordance with civil service terms generally.

With regard to part (2) and part (5) of the question it would be necessary for the Deputy, in the context of the new administrative budget system, to put this question down to each individual Minister. In the case of my own Department and the offices for which I am responsible, the information sought is set out in the tables which I will have circulated with this reply.

With regard to part (4) of the question, performance pay applies at present to the assistant secretary grade only and is administered independently by each Department. In my Department and in the offices under my aegis a total of 24 officers are on performance pay.

The Number of Appointments made by Grade and Department-Office in each year between 1987 and 1991

1988

1989

1990

Appointments at Secretary Level

* Appointed Commissioner 12/09/1987. Appointed Chairman on 03/10/1990.

Appointments at Deputy Secretary Level

Assistant Secretary

* Mr. McDonagh was appointed to Secretary Department of Communications on 19 June 1987.

* Mr. D. Quigley was appointed to Revenue Commissioner on 03/10/1990.

* Mr. C. Clayton was appointed to Chief Inspector of Taxes on 23/11/1989.

* Mr. F. Cassells was appointed to Revenue Commissioner on 10/07/1989.

* Mr. T. O'Connor has retired.

Professional-Technical Appointments

Dáil Éireann 409 Written Answers. Top Level Appointments Commission.

Questions

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