707. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria for the recruitment of firefighters in local authorities; the reason competitions are only open to internal, as opposed to external, candidates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34130/15]

My Department works closely with Dublin City Council in relation to the staffing needs of Dublin Fire Brigade. My Department recently approved requests from Dublin City Council to hold both an open and a confined competition to fill fire-fighter vacancies that arise in Dublin Fire Brigade.

It is my understanding that details of the open competition, which will be organised through the Public Appointments Service, will be announced shortly. Prospective candidates should register with Publicjobs.ie to ensure that they are notified when the competition is announced.