andMr. Power asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of staff vacancies in his Department on 1st January, 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Staff Vacancies.
12.
There were 44 vacancies in my Department on 1st January, 1976.
What type of personnel were they?
There is a mixture of personnel. The figure at present is 20—the figure I have given was that which applied when the question was put to me in January. The vacancies existing now are in the lower grades.
Will the vacancies be filled soon?
We hope to fill the vacancies soon but I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that, out of a total staff of 3,000, 20 transitional vacancies is not an unusual number.
It makes a big difference; 20 new jobs is a lot.