asked the Minister for Finance the number of vacancies for solicitors in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vacancies for Solicitors.
18.
There are at present five vacancies for solicitors in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor.
Has the Minister any plans in mind for filling these vacancies?
Yes. Certain steps have been taken recently and there are other proposals for reorganisation which are being examined by the Attorney General and my Department with a view to improving the situation in that office.
Is it not a fact that the failure to fill those vacancies, which are of long standing, is due to the fact that the salaries offered are inadequate?
This is said but it is not necessarily so.
(Cavan): Would the Minister agree it would be more economic and would lead to more efficient conduct of the business of the Chief State Solicitor's office and the court if the Minister were to fill these vacancies by offering proper salaries for the job? He would then save counsel fees which are being paid at the moment to, some people think, including I understand members of the Garda Síochána, inexperienced counsel.
That is a calculation which would be difficult to make. I would repeat there are steps underway at the moment which I think should go a long way towards remedying the difficulties which have arisen in this office.
What are these?
Reorganisation of the structure and the possibilities of promotion. It is not as simple as it looks. Any change in the salary structure could have ramifications throughout the whole public service.
(Cavan): Does the Minister agree if he is paying salaries less than in the private sector he will not get people to take the positions?
This is true of many areas in the public service.