Joe Walsh
Question:118 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of veterinarians currently employed in his Department; the number of associated support staff; and the annual cost of such services. [9490/97]
Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.
There are currently 329 permanent veterinary staff employed by my Department. These permanent staff are augmented by 25 whole-time temporary veterinary inspectors and a further approximately 540 part-time temporary veterinary inspectors. The whole-time temporary veterinary inspectors are engaged on the disease eradication programmes and the part-time temporary veterinary inspectors are engaged on meat inspection and portal duties. The number of associated support staff is approximately 636 which includes technical and subordinate grades. The annual cost of these services is approximately £41 million, comprising costs of salaries, overtime, allowances, gratuities and travel and subsistence expenses.