Séamus Pattison
Question:31 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the effects of the public service staff embargo on his Department for the last two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Public Service Staff Embargo.
From 1 January, 1988 to 1 January, 1990 the numbers of staff in my Department, excluding the Forest Service, fell from 209 to 173 and in the Forest Service of my Department from 928 to 53. However most of the fall in numbers in the Forest Sevice was due to the transfer of certain of its functiong to the State body, Coillte Teoranta which was established on 1 January 1989, so that it is not possible to make a direct comparison between the numbers now in forestry and those two years ago. I can add, however, that the effect of the embargo on staffing in my Department has been to rationalise its activities, phase out certain schemes and redeploy and retain staff to meet ongoing requirements.