Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation there was with health boards and trusts about the required post-qualification experience of applicants for the post of Chief Legal Adviser in the Central Services Agency prior to the most recent advertising of the post. [33588]
§ Mr. WorthingtonIt is most unusual for Health and Social Services bodies to consult with each other on the contents of Personnel Specifications for such posts. There was no consultation in 1995 or for the current vacancy.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many years post-qualification experience was required when the post of Director of Legal Services and Chief Legal Adviser in the Central Services Agency was advertised in(a) 1973, (b) 1984, (c) 1987 and (d) 1995. [33586]
§ Mr. Worthington10 years post-qualification experience was required in 1987 and 1995. The job files relating to 1978 and 1984 have been destroyed and thus the information is not available for these years.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long the current Chief Executive of the Central Services Agency has been in post; and how many directorates appointed during this period have been filled by(a) Roman Catholics, (b) Protestants and (c) others. [33590]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe current Chief Executive was appointed to the position in April 1997. Since then, no Director posts have been filled.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what salary was offered for the post of Chief Legal Adviser to the Central Services Agency when the post was advertised most recently; and how many other legal posts in the public sector in Northern Ireland offer a comparable salary with the same requirement of post-qualification experience. [33589]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe salary offered was £44,616–£53,539 per annum, inclusive of performance related pay up to a maximum of 20%
No proper comparisons can be made across the full range of legal posts existing within the public sector in Northern Ireland as the experience and qualifications are matters for each employing authority and will depend on the particular needs and requirements of the post in question. For example, the Department of Finance and Personnel has 8 legal posts which offer a comparable salary, all of which require post-qualification experience 461W of at least 3 years. There are also 3 legal grades in the Department of the Environment which would offer some comparable, or at least an overlapping salary to that offered to the Director of Legal Services in the Agency. These grades are:
Grade Salary range Senior Legal Assistant £26,743–47,248 Deputy Registrar—Land Registers NI £39,711–50,360 Chief Executive and Registrar of Title £39,050–61,340 In these 3 legal grades, post qualification experience is part of the promotion requirement.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the post of Chief Legal Adviser in the Central Services Agency was last advertised; and how many years post-qualification experience was then required of applicants; and what were the reasons for changes in this requirement since the previous occasion. [33587]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe title "Chief Legal Adviser" was replaced by "Director of Legal Services" in 1990/91. It is assumed that the reference to Chief Legal Adviser includes Director of Legal Services.
The position of Director of Legal Services (DLS) was last advertised on 13 February 1998. Five years post-qualification experience was required of applicants. The DLS provides not only a professional legal service, but is responsible for the management of the Directorate of Legal Services and for making a management contribution to the corporate and strategic management of the CSA
The Specification was amended following the normal procedure when a post becomes vacant. It is now considered that the requirement for 10 years experience as a solicitor may preclude competent individuals from applying. Given the importance of this post, the Agency would wish to have as large a pool of applicants as possible. Selection will be on the basis of merit as measured against the professional and managerial competencies required for the post.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who is the Acting Chief Legal Adviser to the Central Services Agency; what is his salary; and how many years he has of post-qualification experience. [33591]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe Acting Director of Legal Services is Mr. Alphonsus Maginness. Mr. Maginness's salary is £44,146 and he has 6.5 years of post-qualification experience.