Commission for Public Service Appointments

The Commission for Public Service Appointments (Irish: Coimisiúin um Cheapacháin Seirbhíse Poiblí) is an independent Irish statutory body which sets standards for recruitment in the public service.[1] The Commission's importance is underlined by its composition of very senior statutory ex-officio members. However paradoxically the top-heavy composition of its membership, its lack of own staff and its minimal activity as demonstrated by its annual reports shows that it has not fulfilled its purpose. The Commission is not to be confused with the Public Appointments Service (Irish: An tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí).[2]

Activities

The Commission's main activities are as follows:

Codes of Practice

The Commission issues Codes of Practice concerning recruitment and selection.[3] There are currently five Codes of Practice, relating to appointments in the Civil Service and Public Service, as well as Codes to deal with specific situations such as appointment of persons with disabilities, or emergency short-term appointments in the health public sector.[4]

Recruitment and Selection audits

The Commission carries out audits of recruitment and selection in the public sector, all of which are published. Sometimes these include recommendations.[5]

Complaints

The Commission also investigates complaints or formal statutory requests for review under the Codes in relation to specific appointments. However it may not quash or alter a recruitment decision.[6]

Investigations

The Commission may authorize investigations with wide powers including the right of entry on premises and the right to inspect documents.[7]

Approved Recruitment Agencies

In a new initiative, the Commission intends to establish a list of Approved Recruitment Agencies from the private sector which may be used for public service recruitment.[8]

Annual Reports

The Commission's Annual Reports are submitted to each House of the Oireachtas and published on its official web-site. The Commission is supported by a small staff.

Members of the Commission

The Commission for Public Service Appointments consists of five ex-officio members, referred to as commissioners.[9] Currently these are:[10]

Office and Staff

In 2012 the Office of the Commission was amalgamated with the Office of the Ombudsman for administration and accounting purposes.[13] This was for cost-cutting purposes. As a result, the Commission depends on the staff of the Ombudsman which is clearly unsatisfactory for a major oversight body.

References

  1. ↑ "Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004" (PDF). Dublin: Stationery Office. 2004. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Public Appointments Service". www.publicjobs.ie. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Commission for Public Service Appointments". Commission for Public Service Appointments. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Codes of Practice". Commission for Public Service Appointments. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Audits". Commission for Public Service Appointments. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "Complaints". Commission for Public Service Appointments. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Section 18, Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004" (PDF). Dublin: Stationery Office. 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Approved Recruitment Agencies". Commission for Public Service Appointments. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  9. ↑ "Section 12, Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004" (PDF). Dublin: Stationery Office. 2004. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Members of the Commission". Commission for Public Service Appointments. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011" (PDF). Dublin: Stationery Office. 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011)". Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Annual Report 2012, Office of the Ombudsman". Office of the Ombudsman. Retrieved 19 March 2015.

External links

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