Expert Panel Member

Role Description

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (the CRU) invites applications for suitably qualified and experienced candidates for appointment to the Panel of Experts.

The CRU is responsible for regulating gas installers in Ireland with respect to safety. The CRU carries out this function through the Registered Gas Installer (RGI) statutory regulatory scheme. The CRU is establishing a Panel of subject matter experts to review applications from people seeking to join the RGI scheme with relevant non-Irish professional qualifications.

Background

In August 2019, the CRU published a decision paper[1] on the recognition processes for professional qualifications. The decision paper set out that the CRU would establish a panel of subject matter experts to review applications from people seeking to register with the RGI scheme with relevant non-Irish professional qualifications. In that paper, the CRU set out its policy decision to apply a similar process for applicants with relevant non-EU qualifications. In 2023, the CRU published an Information Note setting out some changes to the current process, in certain circumstances.

These changes were introduced to improve compliance with the Directive. In April 2025, the CRU expanded the recognition of international qualifications process to include a system for Automatic Recognition to operation in parallel with the General Recognition system.

[1] CRU/19/094: Decision Paper on the Recognition Processes for Professional Qualifications for entry to the Safe Electric and RGI Schemes.

The Panel of Experts

The Panel of Experts generally consists of five suitably qualified and experienced individuals. The function of the Panel is to review and assess the applicants’:

• Professional Qualification(s)
• Additional post-qualifying education and training
• Professional work experience.

The Panel must examine each application within the prescribed timeline and in accordance with other requirements as set out by the CRU. These requirements may change from time to time.

Applicants to the Recognition of International Professional Qualifications process will be required to fill out an application form with the relevant details relating to their qualification(s) and professional experience along with supporting documentation. The role of the Panel of Experts (“the Panel”) is to review the applications and assess if applicants have demonstrated an appropriate level of competence to become eligible to register with the RGI scheme.

The Panel will map the respective applicant’s qualification(s) against the list of essential subjects/learning outcomes of the relevant accepted Irish qualification(s). If there are any substantial differences (deficits) between the applicant’s qualification(s) and the essential subjects/learning outcomes, the Panel will assess if the applicant’s professional work experience addresses these deficits.

The Panel will then decide if compensation measures need to be applied on a case-by-case basis, namely by either sitting an aptitude test or completing an adaptation period.

Term of Appointment

A member of the Panel shall hold office for a period of one year from the date of appointment and be eligible for reappointment for an additional one-year period, subject to satisfactory performance.

Location

It is expected that meetings will take place every 2 months primarily virtually via MS Teams,

Meetings may occasionally take place in person at the CRU’s discretion and will be held in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities’ (CRU’s) offices in Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Location

It is expected that meetings will take place every 1 to 2 months primarily online via MS Teams or occasionally at the Commission for Regulation of Utilities’ (CRU’s) offices in Tallaght, Dublin 24.

The decision as to whether meetings take place virtually or in person, will be at the CRU’s discretion.

Remuneration

• €100 per application processed. It is estimated that there will be approximately 5 to 10 applications per Panel member, per meeting.
• €300 per half day meeting and €600 per full day meeting plus reasonable expenses at Civil Service Rates. It is estimated that the Panel will meet a minimum of one-half day online meeting every two months.

Time Requirements

One-half day every 1 to 2 months to agree decisions where meetings take place virtually. Occasionally full day in person meetings at the CRU’s offices where this is required.

The frequency of meetings may increase or decrease, depending upon the number of applications received.

Ahead of the meetings Panel members will be expected to have undertaken their own review and formed a view of each application to be decided.

Panel members may also be required to undertake a review of an application should an applicant request an appeal of the Expert Panel’s decision. In this case, a Panel Member not previously involved in the decision will be requested to review and affirm or vary the decision of the Expert Panel.

Training will be provided by the CRU upon appointment to the Panel which Panel members will be required to attend. Additional training may be provided throughout the term, where relevant changes in practices, regulations or industry developments occur.

Essential Criteria:

1. Relevant work experience related to Ireland’s downstream natural gas/LPG industry

2. Knowledge/experience of Irish vocational training qualifications – particularly apprenticeships – plumbing, refrigeration, pipefitting, electrical

3. Working knowledge of relevant gas standards, codes of practice and international best practice in the gas industry to include both domestic and non-domestic gas works

4. Commitment to confidentiality and public safety.

Application Process

Please note, the CRU have engaged Cpl as a data processor to assist the CRU with this recruitment competition. In line with CRU’s data retention policy information collected by Cpl will be kept for 12 months after the conclusion of the competition.

In order to apply for this opportunity, candidates must complete the application form for this opportunity before the closing date for applications.

The application form can be found here - Career Opportunities | The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) (cpl.com)

As part of the application form candidates will be required to upload a C.V. and Cover Letter which clearly demonstrates how you meet the ‘essential criteria’ of the role

The deadline for applications is Friday 27th February 2026, (to be received not later than 12 pm).

Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend an online interview in the week commencing 9th March 2026 (estimated timeline).

Candidates must have continued eligibility to legally work in Ireland.

Please note that the CRU will provide training on the relevant processes prior to commencement of their role.

If we invite you to interview and you have access needs, please notify us at cru@cpl.ie so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

CRU does not reimburse any costs/expenses incurred by the candidate during any part of the interview process.

The CRU Recruitment Privacy Notice sets out how we protect the privacy rights of those applying for positions with CRU and can be found on the Careers page on the CRU Website (https://www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/GDPR-Recruitment-Data-Privacy-Notice-May-2018.pdf), or alternatively you can contact hrdepartment@cru.ie who will arrange for this to be sent directly to you.