The Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA; ) is an independent statutory body which sets standards for recruitment in the public service of the Republic of Ireland. The CPSA licenses the Public Appointments Service (PAS), a separate body which performs the recruitment for the Civil Service and many senior and specialist roles in other parts of the public service.
Activities The commission's main activities are as follows: issuing codes of practice carrying out audits of recruitment and selection investigating complaints.
Codes of practice The commission issues codes of practice concerning recruitment and selection. 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.
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.
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.
Investigations The commission may authorize investigations with wide powers including the right of entry on premises and the right to inspect documents.
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.
Annual reports The commission's annual reports are submitted to each House of the Oireachtas and published on its official website. The commission is supported by a small staff.
Members of the commission The Commission for Public Service Appointments consists of five members, referred to as commissioners. OfficeOfficeholder Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TDSecretary General to the Government of Ireland John CallinanSecretary General, Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation David MoloneyChairperson of the Standards in Public Office Commission Garrett SheehanOmbudsman Ger Deering
Office and staff In 2012 the Office of the Commission was amalgamated with the Office of the Ombudsman for administration and accounting purposes. This was for cost-cutting purposes. As a result, the commission depends on the staff of the ombudsman.
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External links
Ceann Comhairle Department of the Taoiseach Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Standards in Public Office Commission Office of the Ombudsman