In a strategic move aimed at enhancing diversity within the civil service, the Irish Government has unveiled an expansion of eligibility requirements for civil service job applicants. The revised criteria will extend opportunities for individuals from migrant backgrounds to seek employment in government departments.
Under the new guidelines, individuals with ‘Stamp 4’ permissions will now be eligible to pursue roles in the civil service. ‘Stamp 4’ permissions grant foreign nationals the right to reside in Ireland until a specified date and allow them to engage in employment. Over 20,000 ‘Stamp 4’ permissions were issued to residents in Ireland during 2022.
Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, emphasised the increasing need to attract and retain skilled professionals across various sectors within the civil service. He stated that this inclusive approach would not only broaden the pool of recruitment talent but also contribute to a more diverse, innovative, and inclusive public service, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to all communities in Ireland.
The initiative, a joint effort by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and the Public Appointments Service, emerged from the collaborative efforts of an interdepartmental working group dedicated to enhancing diversity within the civil service.
Margaret McCabe, CEO of the Public Appointments Service, explained that this change in eligibility criteria follows a comprehensive study conducted in partnership with the NGO The Open Doors Initiative and the global immigration services firm Fragomen. Removing this barrier opens up a broader talent pool for civil service recruitment, aligning with the skills-first approach to recruitment.
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