The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 establishes the legal framework governing recruitment and selection across the civil and public service. Under this Act:
• The Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) was established as the independent regulator overseeing appointments made under the Act.
• The Public Appointments Service (PAS) was designated as the centralised body responsible for recruitment, assessment, and selection for the Civil Service and other public service bodies upon request.
In accordance with its statutory role, the CPSA has published Codes of Practice on its website to ensure recruitment processes uphold standards of probity, merit, equity, and fairness. These Codes require clear communication in competition documents about available review and appeal mechanisms for candidates with concerns about a recruitment process.
The CPSA actively engages with all recruitment licence holders, listed on its website, to promote best practices and ensure compliance with its Codes of Practice.
Recruitment Panels and Appointments
Following both recruitment and promotion competitions, Panels are formed based on merit. These Panels serve as a source for future appointments if and when vacancies arise.
Promotion Sequences
Agreed promotion and recruitment sequences apply to all general service grades and must be followed by HR Units. These sequences are the result of industrial relations agreements between staff, unions and management, and ensure that promotions are made from the appropriate Panels.
Promotion sequences include:
• Internal Panels
• Interdepartmental (IDP) Panels.
Recruitment sequences include:
• Open Panels.
Additionally, the Civil Service Mobility Scheme is part of the sequencing process.
Civil Service Mobility Scheme
Administered by HR Shared Services, National Shared Service Office, under the remit of my Department, the Mobility Scheme allows staff to apply for career moves to different Departments or geographical locations through a transparent and open system.
Panel Duration
Promotion Panels typically remain active for 18 to 24 months, as agreed with Staff Side representatives. In certain cases, and with Union agreement, Panels may be extended for a short period. If a Panel is exhausted before its term ends, a new competition may be held.
