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Principal Officer competition 2019

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Comments

  • #512
    bluegreenred
    Registered Users Posts: 18 ✭bluegreenred


    Great idea Trickie. Hope it goes well and that I’ll be in a position to suggest it in the “principal officer competition 2020 or 2021” thread if I make it into the panel.


  • #513
    meteoris
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭meteoris


    Hi all,

    This resource might be of use as you consider your offer or try to get established in your department:
    whodoeswhat dot gov dot ie
    (Apologies I am not allowed by the system to post the actual URL)

    You can choose any of the departments to see the Org Structure down to Principal Officer level.


  • #514
    Grey AP
    Registered Users Posts: 138 ✭✭Grey AP


    Not sure that there is a particularly reliable source of information at the moment. Whodoeswhatdotgovdotie used to go down to PO level but doesn't appear to any more and it has not been updated for the new departments under this government. Wwwdotgovdotie is a bit of a mishmash, directing you to external sites which have a mix of updated and outdated information and sites don't present info on structures in the same way. You would think that all those information officers and offices would get everyone into line on simple information about how our government works, like showing the SG, ASGs and roles, POs under each ASG etc and what they do. I am quite disappointed in my own colleagues here.


  • #515
    richardjjd
    Registered Users Posts: 524 ✭✭✭richardjjd


    meteoris wrote: »
    Just got a reply with an update from clearance at publicjobs dot ie:

    "There are currently 5 candidates ahead of you on the PO2019 panel."

    As I am placed at 42, number 37 should be next.

    Any news @Meteoris? There are some who are below you in the list and wondering how things are going!


  • #516
    Whaleseye
    Registered Users Posts: 17 ✭Whaleseye


    As a matter of interest, would anyone know if they tell you what department you’re being offered when you’re contacted for Clearance, or do you only find out having gone through that process?
    Thanks,


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  • #517
    Tr1ckieD1ckie
    Registered Users Posts: 82 ✭✭Tr1ckieD1ckie


    Whaleseye wrote: »
    As a matter of interest, would anyone know if they tell you what department you’re being offered when you’re contacted for Clearance, or do you only find out having gone through that process?
    Thanks,

    Hi Whaleseye.

    Yes in my experience they do. The format of my notification was:
    Your place on the panel has been reached and you have been provisionally assigned to X.

    Also included a contact person in the department for any informal queries
    Best
    TD


  • #518
    Whaleseye
    Registered Users Posts: 17 ✭Whaleseye


    Tr1ckieD1ckie wrote: »
    Hi Whaleseye.

    Yes in my experience they do. The format of my notification was:
    Your place on the panel has been reached and you have been provisionally assigned to X.

    Also included a contact person in the department for any informal queries
    Best
    TD

    Ah that’s good to know. Thanks TrickieD!


  • #519
    Maestro123
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭Maestro123


    richardjjd wrote: »
    Any news @Meteoris? There are some who are below you in the list and wondering how things are going!

    Hi folks, I have it on good authority (another 'petit oiseau'!) that no. 38 has just been called for clearance - hope that helps!


  • #520
    meteoris
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭meteoris


    richardjjd wrote: »
    Any news @Meteoris? There are some who are below you in the list and wondering how things are going!

    Hi richardjjd and all,

    I was just told that there is only one candidate ahead of me for the Dublin panel, so that means lots of progress this week as 41 is due next.


  • #521
    Conovski
    Registered Users Posts: 58 ✭✭Conovski


    Thanks Meteoris, that's some movement alright. Cheers for sharing the update


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  • #522
    Grey AP
    Registered Users Posts: 138 ✭✭Grey AP


    Grey AP wrote: »
    Not sure that there is a particularly reliable source of information at the moment. Whodoeswhatdotgovdotie used to go down to PO level but doesn't appear to any more and it has not been updated for the new departments under this government. Wwwdotgovdotie is a bit of a mishmash, directing you to external sites which have a mix of updated and outdated information and sites don't present info on structures in the same way. You would think that all those information officers and offices would get everyone into line on simple information about how our government works, like showing the SG, ASGs and roles, POs under each ASG etc and what they do. I am quite disappointed in my own colleagues here.

    Correction here. I mentioned to a colleague that whodoeswhatdotgovdotie no longer seems to show POs, but they pointed out that if you click on the assistant secretary's name above their photo, not the division or title underneath, you will see the POs in that division and their roles. However, it still largely hasn't been updated for the new government and departments (for example, my own dept features quite a few retired POs and now redundant posts), though it will give you a general walk around of your new department.
    And well done to all the newly appointed so far this month (I think it is about eight) and it'd be nice to hear of your experiences and first impressions.


  • #523
    hardybuck
    Registered Users Posts: 5,159 ✭✭✭hardybuck


    Grey AP wrote: »
    Correction here. I mentioned to a colleague that whodoeswhatdotgovdotie no longer seems to show POs, but they pointed out that if you click on the assistant secretary's name above their photo, not the division or title underneath, you will see the POs in that division and their roles. However, it still largely hasn't been updated for the new government and departments (for example, my own dept features quite a few retired POs and now redundant posts), though it will give you a general walk around of your new department.
    And well done to all the newly appointed so far this month (I think it is about eight) and it'd be nice to hear of your experiences and first impressions.

    Transfer of functions process not completed and therefore new Departments don't exist yet.


  • #524
    meteoris
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭meteoris


    hardybuck wrote: »
    Transfer of functions process not completed and therefore new Departments don't exist yet.

    Useful observation Hardybuck. Thanks! When is the transfer of functions process expected to be completed?


  • #525
    hardybuck
    Registered Users Posts: 5,159 ✭✭✭hardybuck


    meteoris wrote: »
    Useful observation Hardybuck. Thanks! When is the transfer of functions process expected to be completed?

    Probably in advance of the budget so they'll know what allocation they have next year.


  • #526
    tea and coffee
    Registered Users Posts: 1,823 ✭✭✭tea and coffee


    Some (all?) were approved by Cabinet this week afaik


  • #527
    Grey AP
    Registered Users Posts: 138 ✭✭Grey AP


    Delegation orders for junior ministers are starting to roll in also.


  • #528
    Grey AP
    Registered Users Posts: 138 ✭✭Grey AP


    Any numbers updates? I just got a reply indicating that the panel is up to number 38, but going on recent replies, I think this must mean 38 appointments rather than offers, as Meteoris said a couple of weeks ago that 41 is next (ie up to 40).


  • #529
    Whaleseye
    Registered Users Posts: 17 ✭Whaleseye


    Grey AP wrote: »
    Any numbers updates? I just got a reply indicating that the panel is up to number 38, but going on recent replies, I think this must mean 38 appointments rather than offers, as Meteoris said a couple of weeks ago that 41 is next (ie up to 40).


    Yes, zero movement in the last two weeks. 41 is next apparently (as confirmed to me by PAS last week too) and I have it on good authority (little oiseau etc!) that 41 has not been contacted to date.


  • #530
    meteoris
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭meteoris


    Grey AP wrote: »
    Any numbers updates? I just got a reply indicating that the panel is up to number 38, but going on recent replies, I think this must mean 38 appointments rather than offers, as Meteoris said a couple of weeks ago that 41 is next (ie up to 40).

    Hi Grey AP,

    I got confirmation this week that the status for the Dublin Panel was the same as the update I received two week ago.

    If 38 does not refer to appointments, then the only way I can reconcile what they are telling you with what they are telling me is to assume that some of the people between 38 and 41 may not be in the Dublin Panel...

    I do not understand how they are managing to make a simple list look so complicated.


  • #531
    Conovski
    Registered Users Posts: 58 ✭✭Conovski


    meteoris wrote: »
    Hi Grey AP,

    I got confirmation this week that the status for the Dublin Panel was the same as the update I received two week ago.

    If 38 does not refer to appointments, then the only way I can reconcile what they are telling you with what they are telling me is to assume that some of the people between 38 and 41 may not be in the Dublin Panel...

    I do not understand how they are managing to make a simple list look so complicated.

    Thanks Meteoris/Grey AP
    I haven't sought an update from PAS, but I did hear that a Dept took three in one go from the panel recently (in the past couple of weeks) which would broadly tally with the numbers moving from 37/8 to 40 around then (16/18th Sept).


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  • #532
    Grey AP
    Registered Users Posts: 138 ✭✭Grey AP


    meteoris wrote: »
    Hi Grey AP,

    I got confirmation this week that the status for the Dublin Panel was the same as the update I received two week ago.

    If 38 does not refer to appointments, then the only way I can reconcile what they are telling you with what they are telling me is to assume that some of the people between 38 and 41 may not be in the Dublin Panel...

    I do not understand how they are managing to make a simple list look so complicated.

    That makes sense. I think it would be a lot easier if PAS just posted a table, numbered 1-65 and updated weekly, with columns for offer made, accepted/refused, in clearance, appointed. It's anonymous and would save PAS a lot of work and us a bit of anxiety and confusion.


  • #533
    celticfan1
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭celticfan1


    Folks - any movement on this panel - seems to have slowed up somewhat!


  • #534
    meteoris
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭meteoris


    celticfan1 wrote: »
    Folks - any movement on this panel - seems to have slowed up somewhat!

    I have not heard of any progress for the last four weeks.


  • #535
    Whaleseye
    Registered Users Posts: 17 ✭Whaleseye


    meteoris wrote: »
    I have not heard of any progress for the last four weeks.

    Ditto


  • #536
    Grey AP
    Registered Users Posts: 138 ✭✭Grey AP


    There were some appointments to my dept in September (welcome everyone and congratulations :):)) but as they seem to be mostly non-CS, and would have had to do clearance, I assume they were counted in August or before by PAS.

    PS Not quite sure how a smiley face arrived at the top of this - only meant to be after the congrats.


  • #537
    Whaleseye
    Registered Users Posts: 17 ✭Whaleseye


    I wonder whether departments are waiting for budget allocations before progressing?

    Seems strange to have had almost a month now with seemingly no movement at all...


  • #538
    hardybuck
    Registered Users Posts: 5,159 ✭✭✭hardybuck


    There's always a lot of movement around the system in September. Everyone is back from holidays and the engine of Government business kicks up a gear.

    I suspect that there was a lot of movement in early September which led to a bit of a lull afterwards.

    I don't think the 2021 budget would have had much of an impact. There will be more public spending, but I don't think you'll see much of an increase for additional payroll in Civil Service organisations, particularly at PO level.

    There has also been mention of people holding on for the 2% pay increase in October. While there are definitely some people in this boat, I think the numbers will be low - there is no way I'd be hanging on for another year or two for such a small financial bonus.

    I actually think there's going to be more people holding on for a while who had previously intended to retire by now. Can't go anywhere to enjoy the retirement and can work from home while this whole COVID thing continues.


  • #539
    VillageIdiot71
    Registered Users Posts: 578 ✭✭✭VillageIdiot71


    Whaleseye wrote: »
    Yes, zero movement in the last two weeks. 41 is next apparently (as confirmed to me by PAS last week too) and I have it on good authority (little oiseau etc!) that 41 has not been contacted to date.
    Just to confirm, I got an update from PAS yesterday that basically means no advance on that.


  • #540
    Grey AP
    Registered Users Posts: 138 ✭✭Grey AP


    VillageIdiot71 wrote: »
    Just to confirm, I got an update from PAS yesterday that basically means no advance on that.

    Same. Looks like depts have squared their debts to the open panel and are promoting from within at the moment.


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  • #541
    Tr1ckieD1ckie
    Registered Users Posts: 82 ✭✭Tr1ckieD1ckie


    Grey AP wrote: »
    Same. Looks like depts have squared their debts to the open panel and are promoting from within at the moment.


    My new department has recently launched an Internal PO competition which closes this week.

    Guess maybe they didn't like the look of the external candidates who arrived of late!

    On a more serious note, the waiting is undoubtedly tough, but hang in there and stay positive. It'll happen in due course for those waiting on the panel, I've no doubt


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