Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the appointment of the Public Affairs Officer to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland was made; how many persons applied for the position; in which newspapers the position was advertised; and how many of the applicants were perceived to be(a) Protestants and (b) Roman Catholics. [10780]
§ Mr. AncramThe appointment of the public affairs officer with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland was made on 12 May 1995. There were 38 applicants for the post. The vacancy was advertised in theIrish News, Newsletter and Belfast Telegraph. Of the 38 applicants, 21 were perceived to be from the Protestant community, 15 from the Roman Catholic community and two non-determined.
Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons applied for the position of education and training officer to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; in which newspapers in(a) the UK and (b) the Republic of Ireland this vacancy was advertised; and how many of the applicants were perceived to be (i) Protestants and (ii) Roman Catholics. [10781]
§ Mr. AncramThe post of education and training officer with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland was first advertised in August 1995. Of 18 applicants, only one was406W considered suitable but declined the appointment. The post was re-advertised in October 1996 and there were 28 applicants.
On both occasions, the vacancy was advertised in the Irish News, Newsletter and Belfast Telegraph. The vacancy was not advertised in any Republic of Ireland newspapers.
Of the 18 applicants in August 1995, five were perceived to be from the Protestant community and 13 from the Roman Catholic community. Of the 28 applicants in October 1996, eight were perceived to be from the Protestant community, 18 from the Roman Catholic community and two non-determined.