1123. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43440/26]

Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. My Department oversees strategic workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels.

The recruitment and filling of posts in the local government sector is undertaken both by individual local authorities and publicjobs. Following the approval of a staffing sanction request by my Department where such is required it is then a matter for the Chief Executive, who is responsible under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible, to progress the appointment as appropriate.

Since the publication of Circular EL 02/2011, which states that starting pay on recruitment in open competitions should be made at the first increment, amendments have been made to this practice. Circular EL 08/2016 provides for the determination of the most appropriate point of the relevant pay scale to offer new entrants without referral to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding professional and technical posts. The role of Executive Planner falls within this category. Where a Chief Executive is of the view that there are exceptional circumstances justifying the offer of starting pay above the minimum point on the scale, the specific sanction of the Department should be sought, but only in advance of any offer being made.

Additionally, Circular EL 04/2024 - Starting Pay on Recruitment through Open Competition to the Public Sector – Appointment of Existing Public Servants from the EEA, UK and Switzerland Serving in Analogous Grades allows for recognition of public service in these named jurisdictions. Any new appointee who moves from posts elsewhere in the public service in the EEA, UK or Switzerland, to what is determined to be an analogous grade in the Local Authority sector, such appointees may be appointed at their current public service euro salary from the public service post the individual is leaving.