Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 35070/22-27, to detail why testing in Irish language proficiency did not form part of the selection criteria for the appointment of the members of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression.
First Minister and deputy First Minister: Following CPANI guidance, a Skills and Attributes Audit was completed for the members appointments. The audit identified the skills, experience and personal attributes required.
Language was not deemed essential to these roles and therefore did not form part of the essential criteria.
The criteria were agreed by the selection panel and ourselves.
ENDS
Your MLA 