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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1987

Vol. 375 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

215.

asked the Minister for Health the way in which the figure for salaries, wages and allowances in his Department set out in the 1988 Estimates has increased by 12 per cent over the 1987 figure and in particular (a) the number of additional staff from whom the Estimate is made; (b) the duties which those persons will carry out; (c) the number of staff which will be required to carry out the functions heretofore carried out by the Health Education Bureau and the total amount of salaries, wages and allowances to be paid to such persons; (d) the number of anticipated redundancies among departmental staff in the year 1988; and (e) the total increase in staff anticipated in the Department for 1988.

The figure for salaries, wages and allowances for my Department set out in the 1988 Estimates was based on both the actual number serving and the anticipated transfer of some additional staff into my Department. The additional sum was determined in such a way as to enable certain additional functions to be undertaken by my Department. The present staffing of the Department is subject to the general embargo on filling of posts in the public service and has reduced by 14 per cent since 21 July 1981. Any increase in staffing will be confined to the transfer of additional functions to the Department. The transfer of such functions has yet to be finalised and it is not therefore possible to state the likely increase in numbers involved. In addition to carrying out the duties currently undertaken by the Health Education Bureau, the new health promotion unit within my Department will also undertake work relating to the broader concept of health promotion. As the structure of the unit is still under discussion it is not possible at this stage to give the details relating to numbers and costs in 1988 which the Deputy has requested.

With reference to possible redundancies which may occur in 1988, as a result of the recent extension of the early retirement scheme to officers aged 50 years and over, information is being sought from those eligible in order to establish the level of interest in the scheme amongst serving officers. Prior to this announcement the terms of the redundancy/early retirement package did not apply to officers in my Department.

Having regard to all of the factors which I have outlined, it is not possible at this point to state the likely staffing level in the Department in 1988.

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