Irish Public Service Verbal Reasoning Test (Ireland)

Passage: The Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service outlines that blended working arrangements are not an absolute right but rather a discretionary arrangement subject to business needs. While departments should facilitate blended working where feasible, the primary consideration must always be the efficient delivery of public services. Managers must review arrangements regularly to ensure that performance and service quality do not deteriorate. Question: According to the passage, which of the following is correct regarding blended working?

• AIt is an absolute right for all civil servants.
• BIt is a discretionary arrangement dependent on service delivery needs.
• CIt is permanently fixed once agreed upon by managers.
• DIt must be offered by all departments regardless of feasibility.

Passage: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that green criteria be incorporated into all public procurement contracts over a certain threshold. Public bodies must ensure that a minimum of 20% of the evaluation criteria are allocated to environmental sustainability for major projects. This is intended to stimulate the market for eco-friendly products and services, helping Ireland meet its national decarbonisation targets. Question: Based on the passage, the primary purpose of green public procurement criteria is to:

• AReduce the overall cost of public procurement contracts.
• BStimulate the market for eco-friendly products to meet decarbonisation targets.
• CIncrease the administration time for evaluating public tenders.
• DReplace all quality-based criteria in major public projects.

Passage: Under Section 30 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, a public body may refuse to grant an FOI request if access to the record could reasonably be expected to prejudice the effectiveness of tests, examinations, or audits conducted by the body. This exemption is not absolute and is subject to a public interest test, which requires the body to weigh the public benefit of releasing the information against the harm of disclosure. Question: According to the passage, an exemption under Section 30 of the FOI Act is:

• AAbsolute and not subject to further evaluation.
• BConditional upon a public interest test.
• COnly applicable to examinations run by schools.
• DAutomatically granted without evaluating potential harm.

Passage: The National Development Plan (NDP) allocates significant capital funding to transport infrastructure. The stated priority is to invest in public transport over road networks at a ratio of 2:1. This strategic shift aims to encourage modal shift, reduce traffic congestion in urban areas, and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. Question: Based on the passage, the NDP prioritises:

• ARoad network development over public transport.
• BPublic transport investment over road networks.
• CEqual funding for roads and public transport.
• DSolely urban developments, excluding rural roads.

Passage: The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour states that civil servants must not use their official position to benefit themselves or others with whom they have personal or business ties. Furthermore, they should not accept gifts, hospitality, or benefits that might reasonably be seen to compromise their integrity or influence their official decisions. Question: Under the Code, civil servants are prohibited from:

• AAccepting any contact with businesses.
• BAccepting benefits that could be seen to compromise their integrity.
• CWorking in departments that handle business regulations.
• DReceiving any form of official compensation.

Passage: Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2024 sets legally binding carbon budgets. The agricultural sector is required to reduce emissions by 25% by 2030, while the transport sector faces a target of 50%. Achieving these targets requires a combination of technological innovation, regulatory adjustments, and public behavioral changes. Question: Which of the following is correct according to the passage?

• AAgriculture and transport have the same emissions reduction target.
• BThe transport sector has a higher percentage reduction target than agriculture.
• CDecarbonisation relies entirely on technological innovation.
• DThe emissions reduction targets are voluntary and non-binding.

Passage: Under GDPR guidelines, a 'data controller' determines the purposes and means of processing personal data, whereas a 'data processor' processes data only on behalf of the controller. The controller retains primary responsibility for compliance, including notifying the Data Protection Commission of any data breaches within 72 hours of becoming aware of them. Question: According to the passage, the party primarily responsible for GDPR compliance is the:

• AData processor.
• BData controller.
• CData Protection Commission.
• DIndividual whose data is being processed.

Passage: The Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 expanded the scope of whistleblowing protection in Ireland. The legislation now protects not only employees but also volunteers, shareholders, board members, and job applicants who acquire information on wrongdoings in a work-related context. Furthermore, all organizations with 50 or more employees are required to establish formal internal reporting channels. Question: Based on the passage, which group is NOT newly protected under the expanded whistleblowing legislation?

• AVolunteers.
• BStandard employees.
• CShareholders.
• DJob applicants.

Passage: The Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 sets out a statutory target that 20% of recruits to the public service must be competent in the Irish language by 31 December 2030. Public bodies must also ensure that any direct communication with the public in writing or by email is answered in the official language in which it was received. Question: What is the target percentage of Irish-competent public service recruits by 2030?

• A10%
• B20%
• C30%
• D50%

Passage: The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established to manage state-owned land for the development of affordable and social housing. Under the Housing for All strategy, the LDA is tasked with activating key state-owned sites to ensure a steady supply of cost-rental and affordable purchase homes, reducing reliance on private sector developments. Question: What is the primary role of the LDA according to the passage?

• ATo purchase private land for high-end luxury housing.
• BTo manage state-owned land to develop affordable and social housing.
• CTo sell government buildings to the highest commercial bidder.
• DTo regulate private real estate agents in Ireland.

Passage: The Local Property Tax (LPT) is an annual tax charged on the market value of residential properties in Ireland. Revenue collected from the LPT is allocated directly to local authorities, who use it to fund essential local services such as public parks, library services, street cleaning, and road maintenance. Question: According to the passage, LPT revenues are allocated to:

• AThe central government's general national fund.
• BLocal authorities for local public services.
• CPrivate property developers for home building.
• DThe national health service budget.

Passage: Peatland rehabilitation is a core element of Ireland's biodiversity strategy. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) aims to restore degraded peat bogs, which act as critical carbon sinks. These ecosystems, when healthy, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, but when drained or cut, they release carbon, exacerbating greenhouse gas accumulation. Question: Based on the passage, drained peat bogs:

• AFunction as highly effective carbon sinks.
• BRelease carbon and contribute to greenhouse gas build-up.
• CHave no impact on the carbon cycle.
• DAre completely ignored in Ireland's biodiversity strategy.

Passage: Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 imposes a statutory obligation on public bodies to promote equality, prevent discrimination, and protect the human rights of their employees and service users. This duty requires public bodies to assess, address, and report on human rights and equality issues in their strategic plans. Question: What does the 'Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty' require public bodies to do?

• AAppoint a human rights lawyer to every public office.
• BAssess, address, and report on equality and human rights issues in their plans.
• CProvide free legal aid to all citizens.
• DEnsure all employees receive identical salary increases.

Passage: Sláintecare is a ten-year program to reform Ireland's healthcare system, establishing a universal, single-tier service. A key element is the establishment of six Regional Health Areas (RHAs). These RHAs are designed to decentralize decision-making, integrate hospital and community care services, and improve accountability at a local level. Question: According to the passage, the creation of Regional Health Areas aims to:

• ACentralize all medical decision-making in Dublin.
• BIntegrate hospital and community care while decentralizing decisions.
• CAbolish local community care services entirely.
• DReduce the number of medical staff in regional hospitals.

Passage: The Performance Management Development System (PMDS) in the Irish Civil Service is designed to align individual performance with departmental goals. The process involves three key stages: objective setting at the beginning of the year, an interim review in the summer, and a formal end-of-year review. PMDS is critical for identifying training needs and supporting career progression. Question: What is the correct chronological sequence of the PMDS process?

• AInterim review, objective setting, end-of-year review.
• BObjective setting, interim review, end-of-year review.
• CEnd-of-year review, interim review, objective setting.
• DObjective setting, training needs assessment, career progression.

Passage: The Digital Strategy for Schools highlights the importance of integrating Information and Communications Technology (ICT) into teaching and learning. While infrastructure funding has improved access to high-speed broadband, the strategy notes that the primary barrier is the varying level of digital literacy and confidence among teaching staff, necessitating targeted professional development. Question: Based on the passage, the main obstacle to ICT integration in schools is:

• AA complete lack of broadband funding.
• BThe varying digital literacy and confidence of teachers.
• CStudents refusing to use digital devices.
• DHigh costs of electricity in schools.

Passage: The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss published a report containing over 150 recommendations. A central recommendation is for the State to hold a referendum to amend the Constitution to explicitly protect the rights of nature. The report argues that existing laws are insufficient to halt the decline of natural habitats and wild species. Question: What is a key recommendation of the Citizens' Assembly report?

• ATo abolish all existing environmental laws.
• BTo hold a referendum to protect the rights of nature in the Constitution.
• CTo declare all agricultural land as nature reserves.
• DTo reduce the number of National Parks in Ireland.

Passage: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is responsible for securing government networks and critical national infrastructure against cyber threats. The NCSC operates a national reporting system where public and private entities can disclose cyber incidents. Early reporting allows the NCSC to analyze threats and issue mitigation advice to prevent widespread disruption. Question: The primary purpose of the NCSC's national reporting system is to:

• APublicly shame organizations that suffer cyber attacks.
• BFacilitate threat analysis and issue mitigation advice.
• CFines companies for failing to secure their networks.
• DSell cybersecurity software to public bodies.

Passage: The Work-Life Balance Act 2023 introduced a right to request flexible working arrangements for parents and carers. Employees must have at least six months of continuous service with their employer before making a request. Employers are obliged to consider all requests in good faith but may refuse them based on objective business grounds. Question: According to the passage, an employer may refuse a flexible working request if:

• AThey simply do not like the employee.
• BThere are objective business grounds for refusal.
• CThe employee has worked there for more than six months.
• DThe request is made by a parent.

Passage: In 2003, the Irish Government announced a major programme to decentralize civil service departments from Dublin to regional areas. While the programme aimed to stimulate regional economic growth, a subsequent review highlighted challenges, including the loss of experienced staff who chose to remain in Dublin and the high capital cost of building new regional offices. Question: What was a challenge identified in the review of the decentralisation programme?

• AAn excess of experienced staff moving to regional towns.
• BThe loss of experienced staff who remained in Dublin.
• CA complete lack of regional economic growth.
• DLower than expected building construction costs.

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The Department has decided to ________ the old regulations in order to clear the way for more streamlined administrative procedures.

• Arescind
• Bpromulgate
• Cratify
• Dinstigate

Which of the following is the closest synonym for the word 'mitigate' as used in this sentence: 'The new security protocols are designed to mitigate the risk of data breaches.'

• AAlleviate
• BExacerbate
• COriginate
• DPropagate

Choose the grammatically correct option to complete the sentence: The officer to ________ the report was submitted has requested additional supporting documents.

• Awho
• Bwhom
• Cwhich
• Dwhose

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The project funding must be ________ with the scope of the tasks to ensure all deliverables can be achieved within budget.

• Acommensurate
• Barbitrary
• Csuperfluous
• Dnegligible

Choose the grammatically correct preposition to complete the sentence: All departments are required to comply ________ the new sustainability directives issued by the Minister.

• Awith
• Bto
• Cin
• Dby

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: Changes in interest rates will directly ________ the department's borrowing capacity, having a significant ________ on capital projects.

• Aaffect / effect
• Beffect / affect
• Caffect / affect
• Deffect / effect

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The primary role of the Communications Unit is to ________ information regarding new public services as widely as possible.

• Adisseminate
• Bwithhold
• Cassimilate
• Dsegregate

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

• AHaving reviewed the file, the decision was made by the director.
• BHaving reviewed the file, the director made the decision.
• CHaving reviewed the file, a decision was reached.
• DReviewing the file, the decision was finalized.

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: Due to the sensitive nature of the diplomatic talks, all associated documents were kept ________ and stored in secure archives.

• Aclandestine
• Bostentatious
• Credundant
• Dperfunctory

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The Government has declared a ________ on new commercial peat extraction licences until the new environmental review is completed.

• Amoratorium
• Bsubsidy
• Cmandate
• Dsanction

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The ________ reason for the delay is a lack of staff, but we must also adhere to the ________ of equity in our recruitment process.

• Aprincipal / principle
• Bprinciple / principal
• Cprincipal / principal
• Dprinciple / principle

Choose the closest synonym for 'exonerate' in the following sentence: 'The independent inquiry is expected to exonerate the official of any wrongdoing.'

• AAcquit
• BImplicate
• CReprimand
• DAdmonish

Identify the grammatically correct sentence concerning subject-verb agreement:

• AThe committee has reached its decision after long discussions.
• BThe committee have reached its decision after long discussions.
• CThe committee has reached their decision after long discussions.
• DThe committee have reached their decisions after long discussions.

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: Our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions is ________; there will be no compromise on environmental targets.

• Aunequivocal
• Bambiguous
• Ctentative
• Ddiscretionary

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: As a ________ arbitrator, she listened to both sides without bias, even though she was completely ________ in the industry's technology.

• Adisinterested / uninterested
• Buninterested / disinterested
• Cdisinterested / disinterested
• Duninterested / uninterested

Which of the following options represents the correct use of apostrophes?

• AThe department updated all its employee's contracts.
• BThe department updated all its employees' contracts.
• CThe department updated all it's employees' contracts.
• DThe department updated all its' employees contracts.

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The recent surge in unemployment figures is considered ________, given that economic growth has remained strong.

• Aanomalous
• Bcongruent
• Cpredictable
• Dexemplary

Choose the grammatically correct preposition to complete the sentence: The quiet and structured office environment is highly conducive ________ productive administrative work.

• Ato
• Bfor
• Cwith
• Din

Choose the closest synonym for the word 'expedite' in the following sentence: 'We must implement new digital systems to expedite the passport application process.'

• AAccelerate
• BImpede
• CDefer
• DScrutinise

Choose the option that grammatically completes the sentence: The candidate was ________ qualified for the technical role, ________ did he demonstrate the necessary leadership skills during the interview.

• Aneither / nor
• Beither / or
• Cnot only / but also
• Dwhether / or

Evaluate the following argument concerning the proposal: Proposal: Should the government implement a four-day work week for all civil servants? Argument: No, because many citizens expect access to public services five days a week, and a reduced schedule could decrease service accessibility and response times. Which of the following is the most accurate evaluation of the argument?

• AStrong, because it addresses a direct operational concern regarding public service access…
• BWeak, because it relies on a generalisation about what all citizens expect.
• CWeak, because it does not consider the well-being of civil servants.
• DStrong, because it is always incorrect to change standard working hours.

Evaluate the following argument concerning the proposal: Proposal: Should the state fund free public transport for all citizens? Argument: Yes, because it would immediately make transport free, and people love getting free things from the government. Which of the following is the most accurate evaluation of the argument?

• AStrong, because it identifies a popular outcome that would please the electorate.
• BWeak, because it is circular and relies on popular appeal rather than addressing the econ…
• CStrong, because making things free is the primary goal of public administration.
• DWeak, because it does not mention the cost of bus tickets.

Evaluate the following argument concerning the proposal: Proposal: Should the government make voting in national elections compulsory? Argument: Yes, because compulsory voting ensures that the elected government represents the entire population, thereby strengthening the democratic mandate. Which of the following is the most accurate evaluation of the argument?

• AWeak, because it restricts personal liberty and is therefore undemocratic.
• BStrong, because it addresses a fundamental democratic principle (representation) and prov…
• CWeak, because not everyone is interested in politics.
• DStrong, because it would force everyone to watch political debates.

Evaluate the following argument concerning the proposal: Proposal: Should public sector pensions be linked to private sector stock market performance? Argument: Yes, because it would make civil servants care more about the national economy. Which of the following is the most accurate evaluation of the argument?

• AStrong, because alignment of interest is key to public service dedication.
• BWeak, because it makes an assumption about civil servants' motivations and lacks logical…
• CStrong, because the stock market is the only true measure of economic health.
• DWeak, because civil servants are already banned from investing in stocks.

Evaluate the following argument concerning the proposal: Proposal: Should local councils ban all single-use plastics in public parks? Argument: Yes, because plastic litter harms local wildlife and degrades public spaces, and banning it directly reduces environmental degradation. Which of the following is the most accurate evaluation of the argument?

• AStrong, because it identifies a direct environmental harm in parks and logically links th…
• BWeak, because visitors will simply bring glass bottles instead, which are more dangerous.
• CWeak, because it ignores the commercial interests of plastic manufacturers.
• DStrong, because all plastics must be banned globally immediately.

Evaluate the following argument concerning the proposal: Proposal: Should the government introduce a universal basic income (UBI)? Argument: No, because UBI has never been fully implemented in Ireland and we should avoid new policies that are untested. Which of the following is the most accurate evaluation of the argument?

• AStrong, because untested policies always lead to economic collapse.
• BWeak, because it relies on an appeal to status quo and rejects innovation solely because…
• CStrong, because Ireland does not have the administrative capacity to run a UBI.
• DWeak, because UBI has actually been running in Ireland since 1990.

Evaluate the following argument concerning the proposal: Proposal: Should the state invest in nuclear power plants to meet carbon targets? Argument: No, because nuclear energy is scary and people are generally afraid of radiation. Which of the following is the most accurate evaluation of the argument?

• AStrong, because public fear is a sufficient scientific reason to block energy projects.
• BWeak, because it relies on subjective emotional states ('scary', 'afraid') rather than ob…
• CStrong, because nuclear power plants are guaranteed to explode.
• DWeak, because nuclear energy is actually 100% free of any risk.