andMr. Power asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of staff vacancies in his Department on 1st January, 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Staff Vacancies.
12.
There were 47 unfilled posts in my Department on 1st January, 1976.
Why does the Minister not fill these positions considering that there are so many people unemployed at present?
Some of them have been filled since 1st January. As regards others, recruitment is made through the Local Appointments Commission. These are technical posts, for instance, officers in the aviation and meteorological services. Sometimes it is difficult to get qualified people; there has to be a competition, and it takes some time to bring it to a conclusion.
(Dublin Central): What is the policy in the Department in this regard? Is it to reduce the number of staff or to expand it? I am not talking about these particular posts, but the overall policy.
That would not be in order.
There are a number of posts in my Department which, as they fall vacant, are filled.
(Dublin Central): I am not talking about those posts. I am referring to general policy.
When posts become vacant an effort is made to fill them as soon as possible.