Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 6

Written Answers. - Fisheries Boards' Staffing.

Michael Bell

Question:

28 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine when he will sanction the filling of the 112 vacant posts in the regional and central fisheries boards; the grade of posts in each category to be filled; the reason seven temporary posts have been terminated; if they will be re-filled, and if so, when; the reason the posts of deputy managers have not been filled and when he intends to do so in view of the Ballycotton Tribunal recommendation; the reason he has not complied with Labour Court recommendations LCR 13737, LCR 13566, LCR 13751; the reason the Central Fisheries Board has not responded positively to the pay claim on behalf of the administrative staff in the regional boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

On becoming Minister for Defence and the Marine one of the first issues that was brought to my attention was the decline in staff numbers in the fisheries boards.

I am conscious of the need to maintain a balance in the staffing of the boards and in this regard I am pursuing with the Department of Finance the possibility of filling certain priority posts, including the posts of deputy managers, as agreed with the Central Fisheries Board. That said I must point out that due to the difficult budgetary situation the scope for providing additional staff to public bodies is limited.

Regarding the seven temporary posts the Deputy refers to, which I take it are temporary fishery officer posts in the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, I wish to advise the Deputy that in finalising the allocation among fishery boards of the funds available for 1993 consideration will be given to the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board's requirements for the recruitment of temporary protection staff.

With regard to the Labour Court recommendations mentioned by the Deputy, I wish to advise him that the implementation of the recommendations in the Labour Court reports are not compatible with undertakings given by successive Ministers for Finance to Dáil Éireann and to the Central Bank in relation to posts in the public service vacated under the schemes of voluntary early retirements. Implementation of these reports will also have adverse repercussions in regard to staffing in other parts of the public service. However, I understand that the Central Fisheries Board is considering the Labour Court recommendations to see whether the aspirations of the staff involved could be met in a manner which does not contravene these undertakings.

Regarding the pay claim on behalf of the administrative staff in the regional boards, this matter is ongoing between management and unions in the fisheries boards and I have no function in the matter at this stage.