the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary, he will – (a) for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to…
(No. B/480) Mr N. Beejan (Second Member for Grand’ Baie & Poudre D'or) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary, he will – (a) for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to the number of officers recruited following the advertisement issued therefor in 2023, and (b) state if consideration will be given to reverting the recruitment process thereof to one based on seniority from the grade of Assistant Permanent Secretary. 126
Reply: In regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Public Service Commission that following an advertisement issued by the Commission on 26 April 2023, 23 Assistant Permanent Secretaries were appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary in a temporary capacity for a period of six months in April 2024. In regard to part (b) of the question, prior to 2021, appointment to the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary was made by promotion on the basis of experience and merit, of officers in the grade of Assistant Permanent Secretary, who reckon at least eight years of service in a substantive capacity in the grade. However, the Pay Research Bureau has, in its 2021 Report, recommended that the recruitment of Deputy Permanent Secretary be made by selection from among officers in the grade of Assistant Permanent Secretary reckoning only six years instead of eight years of service. The recruitment exercise carried out in 2023 was based on the recommendations of the 2021 PRB Report. In view of the responsibilities devolving upon the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary and with a view to ensuring that we have officers with the required skills and competencies to operate at that level, the mode of appointment to this post will be taken up with the Pay Research Bureau in the context of the forthcoming PRB Report. PORT LOUIS – LINE BARRACKS – DRIVING TESTS – JANUARY-MAY 2025