asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the approximate number of veterinary officers employed by his Department up to the latest available date; if he is aware of the need for a considerable increase in the number of veterinary officers employed by his Department to operate the T.B. eradication schemes which were to be cleared at this time; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Veterinary Officers in Department of Agriculture.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the dispute between his Department and the veterinary staff regarding salaries and conditions of employment is holding up the operation of the T.B. eradication scheme in several areas, and that a large number of cattle that failed to pass the T.B. test has not yet been disposed of in Galway and other places; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the present position of the dispute between his Department and the veterinary staff of his Department in relation to remuneration and terms of employment.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 33 and 34 together.
An offer of increased salary scales for departmental veterinary officers whose grades are covered by the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service was made in September at a meeting of the departmental conciliation council. This offer was not accepted by the staff side, and, accordingly, the matter is proceeding to arbitration.
The number of veterinary officers actually employed by my Department at present is 118 and an additional 18 veterinary surgeons are engaged full time on a daily fee basis.